Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
| Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Bharat Nalluri |
| Produced by |
Nellie Bellflower Stephen Garrett |
| Written by |
David Magee Simon Beaufoy |
| Based on |
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson |
| Starring |
Frances McDormand Amy Adams Ciarán Hinds Lee Pace |
| Music by | Paul Englishby |
| Cinematography | John de Borman |
| Edited by | Barney Pilling |
| Distributed by | Focus Features |
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Release date
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Running time
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91 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $16,724,933 |
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a 2008 romantic comedy film directed by Bharat Nalluri. The screenplay by David Magee and Simon Beaufoy is based on the 1938 novel of the same name by Winifred Watson. The novel had been adapted for BBC Radio 4 in 2001, read by Maureen Lipman.
Set in London just prior to World War II, the film is about a middle-aged, straitlaced vicar's daughter and governess Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand), who has been fired from her fourth job. When employment agency head Miss Holt insists that she will not help her, the destitute Miss Pettigrew leaves the office with an assignment intended for a colleague, unaware that flamboyant American singer-actress Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams) wants a social secretary rather than a nanny.
Arriving at the luxurious penthouse apartment where Delysia is staying, Miss Pettigrew quickly discovers the younger woman is involved with three men: penniless and devoted pianist Michael Pardue, who has just been released from prison; wealthy and controlling Nick Calderelli, who owns the nightclub where she is performing; and young theatre impresario Phil Goldman, who is in a position to cast her in the lead role in a West End play. As she tries to help Delysia sort through her various affairs, Miss Pettigrew is swept up into the world of high society. She is given a makeover by her new employer, and at a fashion show hosted by fashion maven Edythe Dubarry, she meets and feels attracted to lingerie designer Joe Blomfield, who is involved in a tempestuous relationship with Edythe.
In the course of twenty-four hours, Guinevere and Delysia become fast friends and help each other achieve their romantic destinies. After a series of complications like those in screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, Delysia and Michael sail for New York City aboard the Queen Mary and Miss Pettigrew is found in Victoria Station by Joe, who is convinced that she is the woman for him and has been looking for her all night, and all his life. They leave the station together, arm in arm.
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