Rated: PG
Distributor: Musictronic Entertainment

Christina Ricci plays Penelope Wilhern, a wealthy and engaging young lady cursed with a pig's snout for a nose. The only way she can break the curse is for her to marry someone who loves her for what she is. Hidden away from the world, Penelope endures many painful matchmaking sessions, arranged by her snotty mother (Catherine O'Hara) in an attempt to bring order to her "chaotic" life. Unfortunately, Penelope's potential suitors all flee at the sight of her.

One such horrified suitor is Edward (Simon Woods), who engages journalist Lemon (Peter Dinklage) to out Penelope. They enlist the poker-loving Max (James McAvoy) to get photos of Penelope. No prizes for guessing what happens next.

Act Two sees Penelope running away from home to experience the real world. She befriends the free-spirited Annie (Reese Witherspoon, who's also the film's producer), and later chooses to expose herself to the public, which sees her becoming a tabloid celebrity in the process.

It's easy to see where first-time director Mark Palansky got his inspiration for this modern-day fairy tale. Set in a make-believe hybrid world of London and New York, Penelope is littered with Tim Burton influences, from Beetlejuice to Edward Scissorhands, and Big Fish.

Where the movie went wrong was in its portrayal of Penelope as hideous so much so that suitors would dive out of the windows of the mansion in fear when she is, in actuality, pretty adorable with her upturned nose; she's so cute Miss Piggy would likely go green with envy.

Ricci is fabulous as Penelope. You can't help but fall in love with this strong and confident girl who has embraced the fact that she is destined to be a "freak". Even with half her face covered by a scarf, her expressive saucer eyes never fail to light up the screen. McAvoy is, as always, dashing and faultless. The strong chemistry between him and Ricci saves this otherwise sloppy, uneven film, transforming it into a charming Beauty and the Beast meets Cinderella meets Ugly Duckling fairy tale.

One question: where are the extras? -Joanne Soh