Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day Romantic comedy A romantic comedy for moviegoers (mostly female) of all ages, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day will make you smile and feel better about life. Set in 1939 London, the movie stars Frances McDormand as Miss Pettigrew, a dowdy governess who finds herself unfairly dismissed from her job for the umpteenth time. Penniless, homeless and jobless, she steals an assignment card from her employment agency and takes the job of social secretary to Delysia (Amy Adams), an American starlet who will do anything to make it big. Miss Pettigrew manages Delysia's social life, including her relationships with three competing lovers: a nightclub owner who offers Delysia material comfort, the womanising son of a musical producer who could bring her fame and a talented but poor pianist (Lee Pace) who represents true love. Meanwhile, Miss Pettigrew finds herself attracted to Joe (Ciaran Hinds) - a gallant designer who is engaged to Delysia's haughty friend (Shirley Henderson). The film, shot in the world's oldest film studio, the Ealing Studios, is a classy and witty Cinderella tale in which there's no place for misery despite its bleak pre-war backdrop. Director Bharat Nalluri tells the story, which takes place in a single day, in a bubbly manner, turning even a terrifying air raid warning into an occasion for couples to realise the meaning of true love. The script, penned by David Magee and Simon Beaufoy based on the 1938 novel by Winifred Watson, is particularly well-crafted. There is an air of old school wit and naughtiness to the dialogues, which are textbook examples for budding writers who want to learn how to flesh out a character via humorous lines. Adams, the new darling of moviegoers, is charming as usual. She brings an innocent quality to her pitiful yet adorable character. But the real star is McDormand, who delivers a comic performance of the highest order - the kind of acting that can make you laugh and break your heart at the same time. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day may be a movie too light and breezy for the serious minds, but it takes flight from the first minute and does not cease to entertain until the last. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is now showing