One of the wonderful perks of watching Chick Flicks & Women’s films are the lovely set designs. Case in point, with “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” out on Dvd, you’ll be in for a lot of eye candy. “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” has one of the most glamorous sets we have seen in recent years. Brilliantly designed by Sarah Greenwood for Focus films, here is a little excerpt from the Focus films website:
“The set was built at Ealing, and Greenwood rejected the expected British art deco scheme in favor of what would be Delysia’s American influences; sources of reference for Greenwood and her team included the era’s famed decorators Dorothy Draper and William Haines. The latter is especially renowned for the homes he did for Hollywood stars of the era.
“Sarah had an amazing amount of reference books on hand. In the 1930s, American magazines and movies really influenced the English,” points out Hammond. ”
Delysia’s (Amy Adams) opulent Penthouse apartment is set in 1939 London. Her bedroom palette is one of pale shades of gray/blue, cream, and silver. This room is amazingly laid-out with the bed & bath separated by the tufted partition behind Delysia’s bed. Victorian fringed lampshades grace the mirrored bedside tables and compliment the fringed dressing table stools in the background. Silk bedding custom matches the bed’s headboard and large tassels decorate the ends. A lush tufted chair finishes out the room.
Miss Pettigrew fans will have a hard time replicating this look without the help of a major bankroll. To find similar items we had to go to the higher end retailers such as Neiman Marcus & Horchow.
The living room in Delysia’s apartment looks like it gets just as much action as the bedroom. The lush fur rug and the floor with mounds of pillows invite plenty of rolling. The room’s palette is one of black, cream, and gold. One large sofa, chaise and a tufted chair make up the seating area around the Art Deco fireplace.
I love the silver wallpaper in Delysia’s dressing area. I found a similar hand painted wallpaper at DeGournay.com and would love to have this luxury.
More Chick Flick set designs coming soon! Let me know if there are any particular set designs that have caught your eye!
“Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day”
On Video: Tuesday Aug. 19, 2008
Opened in Theaters: Friday March 7th, 2008
Director: Bahart Nallur
MPAA: PG-13
Starring: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Tom Payne, Lee Pace, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Shirley Henderson
“Penelope”
On Video: Tuesday July 15, 2008
Opened in Theaters: Friday Feb. 29th , 2008
Director: Mark Palansky
MPAA: PG
Starring: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon, Catherine O’Hara, Peter Dinklage
and
“Definitely, Maybe”
On Video: Tuesday June 24, 2008
Opened in Theaters: Feb. 14th, 2008
Director: Adam Brooks
MPAA:PG-13
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz
“Over Her Dead Body”
On Video: Tuesday May 6, 2008
Opened in Theaters: Friday Feb. 1, 2008
Director: Jeff Lowell
MPAA: PG-13
Starring: Eva Langoria Parker, Paul Rudd, Lake Bell, Jason Biggs, Lindsay Sloane
“Over Her Dead Body,” follows the story of Kate (Parker) who is tragically killed on her wedding day by her angelic ice sculpture. Her mourning fiancée Henry (Paul Rudd) seeks the help of a psychic named Ashley (Lake Bell). Ashley hasn’t had much luck conjuring up the dead and so, is surprised when Kate comes to haunt her. Problem is Ashley is falling for Henry and Kate will not pass on quietly.
and
“P.S. I Love You”
On Video: Tuesday May 6, 2008
Opened in Theaters: Dec. 21st, 2007
Director: Richard LaGravenese
MPAA:PG-13
Starring: Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow, Harry Connick, Jr., Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kathy Bates
Oscar winner Hilary Swank plays Holly Kennedy, who is married to a lively Irishman named Gerry (Gerard Butler). Holly questions whatever would she do with out the love of her life Gerry, and sadly she soon finds out. Gerry struck with an illness dies and leaves Holly feeling lost and grief stricken. Anticipating his wife’s needs, Gerry leaves a trail of messages to Holly that will guide her into her new single life. The first message is delivered on her 30th birthday and each message challenges Holly to step out of her comfort zone.
Many of her friends and family including her mother (Kathy Bates) question whether the letters are making her live in the past, but it is undeniable that they are in fact shaping her future.
On Video: March 18, 2008
In Theaters: Nov. 21, 2007
Director:Kevin Lima
MPAA: PG
Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden
A Fairy Tale!! Now, only Disney would be the appropriate home for this kind of chick flick.
Our movie starts out in an animated kingdom, where Giselle(Amy Adams) meets her true love Prince Edward(James Marsden). They quickly plan their nuptials the following day. This doesn’t please Prince Edwards mother Queen Marissa (Susan Sarandon) who decides to get rid of Giselle by sending her to New York City.
The moment Giselle finds herself in NYC; she is no longer an animated princess. Lost, confused, and naive to her surroundings Giselle finds a friend in Robert Philip(Patrick Dempsey) and his daughter. All the while Prince Edward has journeyed to NYC to rescue his true love Giselle. Giselle & Robert are forced to take another look at what they consider True Love.
I loved this movie! At first I was apprehensive that Patrick Dempsey decided to be in this film. My fears were unfounded. Patrick Dempsey played a perfect part at no cost to his already successful “McDreamy” career.
This movie has that wonderful storybook feel that feeds the princess in all of us. I had nothing but admiration for Giselle’s character…I want to be as nice as Giselle, with over-flowing optimisism.
“The Jane Austen Book Club” New Chick Flick on Video
On Video: Tuesday, Feb.5th
Director:Robin Swicord
MPAA:PG-13
Starring: Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, Hugh Dancy, Maggie Gracie, Jimmy Smits, Marc Blucas
I loved this movie! It might be my favorite video release of the year so far. (however it is only Feb.) Originally this movie came to Theaters in Oct. 2007, which seem to be a rough going month for Chick Flicks (see Blonde Ambition, Suburban Girl).
The beginning of the movie is great showing all the daily aggravations of city life: broken atms, parking slips, traffic,etc. This opening really sets the mood as we enter the busy world of six Californians of various ages. Over the months they come together through the literary works of Jane Austen. Some joined the book club as strangers while others have known each other for years. Each member takes a different novel and leads the group at their home. Relationships blossom while some relationships end and we slowly start to see subtle parallels of some of Austen’s more famous works in this group’s lives. I do think it takes a familiarity of Austen’s novels or their movie adaptations to catch these parallels.
If you think you have seen the actress playing French teacher Prudie Drummond before, well you have it is Emily Blunt from “The Devil Wears Prada.” She looks fantastic in this movie and has one of the more involved story lines.
Also look for the handsome, Hugh Dancy as he plays Grigg the only male member of the book club. He is no stranger to Chick Flicks he stars in ” Evening,” “Elle Enchanted,” and the upcoming “Confessions of a Shopaholic.”
No Reservations
On Video: Tuesday, Feb. 12
Director: Scott Hicks
MPAA: PG
Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin
Ahh…a Chick Flick for foodies!
Kate (Jones) is a high-powered chef of one of Manhattan’s trendier restaurants. She runs a tight ship in the kitchen so much so that she has to go to therapy.
The tragic death of Kate’s sister brings her niece Zoe (Breslin) to live with her. As if life wasn’t hard enough, her boss brings in a new chef, Nick (Eckhart). Nick however has a different style of running the kitchen then Kate. He has fun in the kitchen and this gets on Kate’s nerves. The chemistry is evident by their clashing of personalities and Kate is afraid of what a relationship might bring especially at a time when she has found herself to be a new mother to Zoe. She soon also finds her job as top chef is at stake.
PS- It hasn’t gone unnoticed that the name “Kate” or “Katie” seems to be a reappearing heroine name in the current Chick Flicks repertoire. (No Reservations, Blonde Ambition, Over her Dead Body)
Blonde Ambition
On Video: Tuesday, Jan. 22
Director: Scott Marshall
MPAA: PG-13
Starring: Jessica Simpson, Luke Wilson, Rachael Leigh Cook, Willie Nelson, Andy Dick
“Blonde Ambition” follows the story of Oklahoma native Katie (Jessica Simpson). Her fiancée, Billy heads off to the Big Apple to pursue his modeling career leaving Katie at home to plan their upcoming nuptials. A surprise visit to New York ends with Katie’s discovery of Billy’s change of affections. Katie decides to extend her visit, she moves in with her cousin (Rachael Leigh Cook) and is offered an executive assistiant job at Connelly & Connelly. Her new job is not one based on her own merit unless you consider Katie’s naivety merit. VP of Connelly & Connelly, Debra, has devised a plan to use innocent Katie as a way to promote herself to President. Did I mention, Katie’s Pap Paw (Willie Nelson) runs a business back home and is having a hard time with his mortgage. Debra sees fit to manipulate Katie with her kind gesture of buying Pap Paw’s deed to his store. Meanwhile, charming Katie has caught the eye of Ben (Luke Wilson) who works in the mailroom. Ben comes to Katie’s aid several times as she tries to keep up with her fast-paced job. The climax of “Blonde Ambition” features Ben and Katie pulling off a huge presentation that exposes Debra’s scheme and saves the President’s job.
Ok..so that is the plot…but here are some of the harsh realities to this movie. “Blonde Ambition” premiered in Texas on Dec. 21, 2007. Making just under 2K, the movie was sent straight to DVD. It is evident to the viewer as soon as we see that Joe Simpson is a producer (see opening credits during bus station scene) that this movie was written for Jessica Simpson. It comes off so weird that this seems like a necessary career move for Jessica. Watch the bonus features to get an even better idea of the aim of “Blonde Ambition.” The movie even has a cameo of her own hairdresser Ken Paves where he puts Jessica Simpson’s own brand of hair-extension in her hair.
Does Jessica Simpson really need this type of self-promotion? She’s beautiful, a talented singer, and has a true innocence that is likeable. It is totally ok that she didn’t know Chicken of the Sea was Tuna…it’s counter intuitive and we have all been there.
All that said, I did enjoy this movie (even my husband liked it…. more so than “Suburban Girl”) but it would have been so much better without the blatant self-promotion. The movie is funny and Jessica Simpson plays a likable goof ball. Hopefully, her chick flick future is brighter and Luke Wilson swears to never do another movie with “Blonde” in the title.
La Femme Reel- The Official Chick Flick Dossier
For a list of all Chick Flicks check out: The Chick Flick List
Suburban Girl- New Chick Flick On Video
On Video: Tuesday Jan. 15th
Director: Marc Klein
MPAA:PG-13
Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alec Baldwin, Maggie Grace
“Suburban Girl” stars Sarah Michelle Geller as Brett Eisenberg a young New York book editor. A shift in power at the office causes Brett to rethink her career strategy. She quickly learns from a relationship with an older man (Baldwin) that she has some growing up to do. This may include dumping her college boyfriend and standing up for herself in many areas of her life.
“Suburban Girl” was originally titled “The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing” because it is an adaptation of two short stories from writer Melissa Bank’s book “The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing.” Later the title was changed because of ownership rights to the other undeveloped short stories.
For other Chick Lit to Chick Flick postings check out http://www.Radiantlit.com/ under Chick Flicks.
I read “The Nanny Diaries” way back in 2002 and salivated over the fact that the movie rights were snatched up right away. I was starting to wonder if this movie would ever come out!? I can remember seeing previews slating it to be in theatres April 2007, but eventually in Sept. 2007 my curiosity and excitement was appeased.
The Nanny Diaries is a fun yet heart wrenching look into the job of a Manhattan Nanny, Annie( Scarlett Johansson). Annie just graduated from college and doesn’t know what to do next. The path to Corporate America doesn’t seem appealing and she starts to second-guess her life. While wandering in the park she is propositioned by Mrs. X (Laura Linney) to be her new nanny. Mrs. X sucks Annie into her life by falsely portraying the job. Anne accepts the position and then proceeds to hide the fact from her mother. (She didn’t send her to college to be a Nanny). Anne finds herself becoming attached to young Grayer the little boy she is charge of. She also develops a romantic relationship with “Harvard Hottie” a young man living in the same building as the “X’s.” Mrs. X is quick to remind her that he is out of her league, but as we know from the beginning Annie is in a league of her own. Annie tries her best to do her job but finds a series of events including sexual harassment (Mr. X) forcing her to leave. This movie has some hilarious parts…. Nanny Cam…. need I say more.
This movie is a must in any chick-flick collection. Great stocking stuffer.
On Video: Tuesday Nov. 20th
Director: Adam Shankman
MPAA: PG
Starring: John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden (”Enchanted”), Queen Latifah, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Jerry Stiller
With an all-star cast and musical numbers to boot, this is one Chick Flick musical you will want to have at home. The “Hairspray” DVD would make a great stocking stuffer too!
As if life wasn’t hard enough, her boss brings in a new chef, Nick (Eckhart). Nick however has a different style of running the kitchen then Kate. He has fun in the kitchen and this gets on Kate’s nerves. The chemistry is evident by their clashing of personalities and Kate is afraid of what a relationship might bring especially at a time when she has found herself to be a new mother to Zoe. She soon also finds her job as top chef is at stake. 
