Fridae

Penelope is a quirky modern-day fairy tale that holds quite a few lessons for the gay community. Though this film is ultimately too mild to really entertain, LGBT viewers can still learn something from its message � that your weak points (read: your sexuality) will hinder your life only as far as you allow it to.

Penelope (played beautifully by Christina Ricci) was born cursed with the face of a pig. She has a snout instead of a nose, and pointy ears. For years, her parents keep her locked up in a beautiful mansion (read: the gay closet) where she has all the books and musical instruments that her heart desires. But Penelope really just wants to go outside (read: exit the closet) and experience the world as others experience it. She also wants to fall in love.

Her parents want to marry her off because they believe that only marriage to an aristocratic man (read: a straight marriage) would lift the curse and make her look like a normal girl (read: become straight). But just about every man runs away in fright at the disgusting sight of Penelope � every man, except the down-and-out gambler Max (James McAvoy).

Now one would expect a modern-day fairy tale like this to be filled with much charm and magic � as Enchanted or Edward Scissorshand or Big Fish were. Unfortunately, Penelope falls short on these counts. One can't help but feel that the scriptwriter Leslie Caveny and director Mark Palansky should have done more with the story and pacing.

The acting, on the other hand, is simply delightful. Christina Ricci is a terrific blend of steeliness and sweetness as the cursed Penelope. James McAvoy is wonderfully disarming as the shaggy-haired gambler, and Reese Witherspoon and Catherine O'Hara are simply excellent in their supporting roles.

If you are a gay/lesbian/bisexual/transsexual who has not come to terms with your sexuality, then you should certainly watch this film. It will teach you a thing or two about accepting and loving yourself � especially with the line: "It's not the power of the curse. It's the power you give the curse."