Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day Image
See the trailer
Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Starring: Amy Adams, Ciarán Hinds, Frances McDormand
  • Summary: In 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew is a middle-aged governess who finds herself once again unfairly dismissed from her job. Without so much as severance pay, Miss Pettigrew realizes that she must--for the first time in two decades--seize the day. This she does, by intercepting an employment assignment outside of her comfort level--as "social secretary." Arriving at a penthouse apartment for the interview, Miss Pettigrew is catapulted into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse. Within minutes, Miss Pettigrew finds herself swept into a heady high-society milieu--and, within hours, living it up. Taking the "social secretary" designation to heart, she tries to help her new friend Delysia navigate a love life and career, both of which are complicated by the three men in Delysia's orbit: devoted pianist Michael, intimidating nightclub owner Nick, and impressionable junior impresario Phil. Miss Pettigrew herself is blushingly drawn to the gallant Joe, a successful designer who is tenuously engaged to haughty fashion maven Edythe, the one person who senses that the new "social secretary" may be out of her element and schemes to undermine her. During the next 24 hours, Guinevere and Delysia will empower one another to discover their romantic destinies. (Focus Features) … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Ruthe Stein
    100
    Frothy and exuberantly entertaining - in part because of the sexual innuendoes - it's the best romantic comedy so far this year.
  2. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    88
    Adams shines brightly, reinforcing the image she projected in Junebug and enhanced in Enchanted and Charlie Wilson's War. At this time of the year, it's tough to find a more diverting way to spend 90 minutes in a multiplex.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    58
    Adams, of course, is a peach. Her sparkle requires only minor character adjustment and twinkle recharging from her recent triumph as the old-fashioned modern heroine in "Enchanted."

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. SergioR.
    10
    Delightful and poignant comedy. McDormand and Adams sparkle in their roles. 1939 London comes alive beautifully on the screen, top production values.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. PatR.
    9
    A really charming film due to the great chemistry between the two leads, McDormand and Adams. English by has a nice touch. What else has he done?
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. BillC.
    0
    This played like it was written ,directed , and produced by a bunch of 4th grade silly girls. The audience at the viewing I saw was 95% female. I thought it was so stupid I left after 12 minutes. It wasn't funny,or the least bit believeable. If you have any male hormone in ya, this film will turn it to dust if you stay too long., not to mention the brain cells that will scream and comit suicide. Francis McDorman is a good actress, why she involved herself in this time waster is a mystery.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 12 User Reviews

Trailers