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The theme of self-acceptance isn't a new one, but Penelope manages to rehash it with flavor and with real heart. A sense of earnestness suffuses the movie that avoids being condescending or trite. In Penelope's world, romantic love is as desirable as ever, but it isn't all-consuming. It's a world in which adventure, friendship, and family loom as large as love, and provide their own joys and frustrations. And it's a world—fairy tale or not—we can all aspire to live in. Whether you're 7 or 77. Sorry, marketing people.

>Talk About It

1. At one point in the movie, Penelope's mom defends a suggestion she's made to Penelope with the statement, "What? I'm being her mother! That's what mothers do with daughters; they talk about how to look prettier." Discuss this. Is it true in your experience? How do you feel about suggestions your mom makes regarding your appearance? Is there a line between being helpful and being hurtful?
2. At the end of the movie, Penelope asks a class of children what her story means and she gets a few different answers. How would you answer the question?
3. Penelope's mother insists that Penelope is not her nose—that she is someone other than her nose would suggest. Penelope insists that in some way she is her nose—that her nose is a part of who she is. Who do you agree with? Can you agree with both of these perspectives? What are the ramifications of these two perspectives for people dealing with something they don't like about their body?
4. Why do you think the public was so happy to embrace Penelope? What's the difference between "friends" and "fans"?

The Family Corner

Penelope is rated PG for thematic elements, some innuendo and language. Drinking and gambling are backdrops in a number of scenes, and there are a handful of sexually charged jokes in this otherwise mild movie. The jokes are likely to fly over the heads of pre-teens, but might make parents squirm wondering if their younger kids "got it." There is also a jump scene in which an imagined version of Penelope bares fangs.

Photos © Copyright Stone Village Pictures

© Lisa Ann Cockrel subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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