claudenorth

I wouldn't call it a classic, but PENELOPE is definitely a fun way to spend an afternoon. Natalie Wood is gorgeous and quite funny in the title role, and she has an amazing wardrobe. Dick Shawn and Peter Falk (practicing for COLUMBO?) provide strong supporting performances as a psychiatrist and a police lieutenant, respectively. Unfortunately, Ian Bannen lacks charisma, making it hard to believe that "Penelope" would choose his character over every other man in NYC. With its bright, bold colors and criminal exploits, PENELOPE plays like an extended episode of the "Batman" TV series. In fact, the film includes a reference to Batman. Definitely a must-see for Natalie Wood fans.

I found this film to be a bit dated, specifically when the action veered into melodrama and in the depiction of the "clean-cut" "bad kids." That said, I think this film is, nonetheless, timeless because it conveys the restlessness that so many teenagers feel, as well as their frustrations that are so difficult to articulate. And I don't believe that those feelings are exclusive to teenagers. What adult hasn't felt the way Jim Stark feels in this film, knowing that he is unhappy, yet not really knowing why, or what to do about it? I'm almost 40 and I still connected with the characters because I am far from having "it" figured out. Not every film manages to remain a classic, but this one has because it contains great emotional truth, and that truth is the heart of the film.