Winifred Watson’s book was published in 1938. It casts an automatic sobering influence on the story (though I would characterize the film as light-hearted overall.) They remember the cost of World War I clearly. It is the eve of World War II and only the older set (Miss Pettigrew and Ciaran Hinds’ character) seem to feel the full import of what that would mean. I think the tonal shift between book and film most likely derives from the filmmakers’ choice to push the historical period to the forefront. Winifred Watson certainly took some satiric jabs in the book, but on the whole, all except one major character, are treated with an amused benevolence in the book. This might be because – in the film – Miss LaFosse and her friends are less happy-go-lucky and more deceptive and clueless. But film-version Miss Pettigrew is a bit more reserved and even disapproving than her gleeful literary counterpart.

There is a hilarious set piece in the beginning where she ably gets Miss LaFosse out of a jam. Certainly Frances McDormand’s Miss Pettigrew undergoes transformation throughout the movie – becoming bolder and more confident, for example. The film’s take on Miss Pettigrew is shaded a bit differently. She adores Miss LaFosse unreservedly and champions the one suitor she thinks is worthy of her new friend. With a sort of ‘why not?’ air of abandonment, Miss Pettigrew adapts herself to her new friends’ lifestyle, allowing herself to be bolder, even flirtier. In the book, Miss Pettigrew is quickly adopted by the confident, gorgeous Miss LaFosse and her social set. (My first Persephone book by the way.)Īmazingly, though I would describe the film as ebullient and giddy, the book is even more carefree. I had realized fairly early on that the film was based on a book, and finally read it during the last month. When it did, I showed it to friends and family, with the result that I have seen the film numerous times. My friend and I enjoyed the movie thoroughly and left the theater high-spirited and set on buying the DVD as soon as it came out. I had seen a preview and it looked fun and it featured Pushing Daisies‘ adorable lead actor, Lee Pace. I saw Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day when it was released in theaters. In a nutshell: In both movie and film, the story is about a middle-aged governess who gets swept up in the life of a young London socialite for one day. Movie: 2008 release, Directed by Bharat Nalluri, Screenplay by David Magee and Simon Beaufoy, Starring Amy Adams, Frances McDormand, Lee Pace, Ciaran Hinds, Shirley Henderson, and Mark Strong.

Winifred watson books