Flashback: Penelope is "Funnier than a Disney movie"

I saw Penelope recently with my 11-year-old niece. You know, that movie starring Christina Ricci as the girl born with a pig's nose, and James McAvoy as the man who falls for her. The movie was pretty much panned by the critiques, who, for some reason, expect high moral storytelling whenever they happen to venture to the cineplex with pen and pad in hand.

In any case, I enjoyed this movie. It's another example of what happens when you get strong actors to do their thing. There might be some holes in the plot, but the earnestness of the acting moves you along. Ricci is sweet and endearing as Penelope and McAvoy is her perfect counterpoint. The film, however, belongs to Catherine O'Hara, who plays Penelope's mother.