Reviewed by Neil Davey
Stars Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Ciaran Hinds,
Shirley Henderson, Stephanie Cole, Lee Pace, Tom Payne
Written by Magee and Simon Beaufoy,
from the novel by Winifred Watson
Certification UK PG | US PG-13
Runtime 92 minutes
Directed by Bharat Nalluri
Guinevere Pettigrew (McDormand) is a governess. Or would be, if anyone would employ her. Or if, when they do, she could hold the job down for more than a few days. With an attitude at odds with her agency boss (Cole) and most of the parents she meets, Guinevere is facing poverty. And, for a single woman in 1939 London, that's not a good option.
Accordingly, Guinevere is forced to take desperate measures. An overheard conversation at the agency reveals that Delysia Lafosse (Adams) is desperately seeking a social secretary and that their prime candidate is currently unavailable. Guinevere blags the job and thus begins a life-changing few days for both the flighty, serial-dating nightclub singer and this dowdy middle-aged woman in sensible shoes.
Deep and philosophical this ain't. Fluffy, a little twee and thoroughly enjoyable it certainly is. The issues of the time are touched upon, but mostly this is about social pressures, the difficulties of juggling three boyfriends – the main reason Delysia needs organising – and finding love late in life when Guinevere's straightforward attitude greatly impresses lingerie designer Joe Blumfield (Hinds). Oscar-worthy? No. Charming? Yep, pretty much.It's some considerable way from perfect but the enthusiasm with which its played, particularly by the breathy, wonderfully flighty Adams and the amiable Pace as her true love, carries you through the shortcomings all the way to the inevitable happy ending.