There is a lightness to Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day that makes this period romantic comedy enjoyable– the banter, the gorgeous costumes, the gorgeous men, of which there are plenty, and silly hijinks in which the couples get together– and it feels reminiscent of some of the classic romantic comedies that once captivated the world during its time. But make no mistake. While the genre has a rep for superficiality, the characteristic lightheartedness through which the titular governess and her socialite ward eases through is much more thoughtful than the eye would expect, with the looming war and Pettigrew’s past grounding the idea to seize true love when it comes your way. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day just does it all with old school charm and modern filmmaking polish.
Synopsis
London, England, on the eve of World War II. Guinevere Pettigrew, a strict governess who is unable to keep a job, is fired again. Lost in the hostile city, a series of fortunate circumstances lead her to meet Delysia LaFosse, a glamorous and dazzling American jazz singer whose life is a chaos ruled by indecision, a continuous battle between love and fame.
Storyline
London, 1939. Middle-aged straitlaced governess Guinevere Pettigrew finds herself dismissed from her job. When she takes an uncharacteristic gamble, she meets glamorous, flamboyant American socialite Delysia Lafosse, and their lives are forever changed within the 24 hours they share.
TLDR
Let Miss Pettigrew have a meal, please!
What stands out
The cast is stacked, and it’s honestly depressing that Lee Pace hasn’t taken a similar role since.
