18 thoughts on “TBT: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

  1. I am going to have to re-watch it, but I remember how everything flowed seamlessly into each scene. How the clothes were so right for the 1930s, from colour and how great the acting was. The clothes evoked Vionnet, Schiaparelli, and Molyneux.

  2. I love everything about the movie and I loved the book even more! In fact, I just bought a copy of the book whilst in London and when I set it on a table later while having tea, a party at the neighboring table expressed her love for it as well.

  3. I made my aunt and mom take me to see this movie each individually so I saw it in theaters three times! The book is absolutely charming as well, totally a contemporary Cinderella story. (In the book Delysia is British as well.) And I know Frances McDormand isn’t British, but it says a lot that I can’t think of another British actress of a similar age who could have done a better job (although I can think of a couple who would have done as well, but differently.) She grounds the story beautifully.
    If ever I get good enough to sew velvet, I’m making myself a replica of that blue evening gown.

  4. Thanks for the reminder about this delightful movie! I need to find it and watch it again. I remember it left us feeling all happy inside.

  5. I LOVE this story. BBC radio did a 5 part series of it, read divinely by Maureen Lipman ages ago and I’ve adored it since then. I treated myself to the film last month and really enjoyed it. I hoped you’d review and you did!

    1. Thanks for the tip! I didn’t even know there was a radio adaptation so I’m going to have to find it!

  6. One of my favourite films ever! All of the extras are beautifully dressed as well, and so many fabulous hats. I’ve never been able to look a cap sleeve in the eye since I first saw it, though!

    Bonus nerd fact – ”Delysia” was a brand of artificial silk (there is an advert for it in a 1931 Weldon’s magazine), so the idea that Ms La Fosse isn’t quite all she seems is perfect.

  7. This is my go-to movie for those times when I’ve been sick for two days, and nothing can possibly make me feel better. Everything about this movie is so incredibly perfect!

    1. SAME HERE. It’s a great “everything-sucks” comfort movie. Same with “I Capture the Castle” and “Cold Comfort Farm” (books and movies) for the era depicted, although those each have different tones, one more melancholy and the other more satirical. Also a similar book trilogy is the Barbara Buncle books by D.E. Stevenson, Miss Buncle’s Book being the first. Same light humor and romance.

  8. This movie has it all! Plus both Lee Pace AND Mark Strong, unrecognizable with hair. Such a great movie.

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