Driving ‘Miss Pettigrew’ nuts

It’s easy to anticipate what happens next in the comedy “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day,” but despite some predictable situations and outcomes, the film by Bharat Nalluri is quite endearing. Set in London on the eve of World War II, the story timelessly captures the complexities of relationships, as well as the topsy-turvy nature of show biz. Primarily, there’s ever-relatable desperation; Frances McDormand plays the recently fired governess Guinevere Pettigrew, initially a famished, weary woman with an uncertain future. She improvises and finds herself in a world that she never even thought of the day before, inevitably befriending an ambitious singer-actress (Amy Adams) who’s juggling three lovers (Lee Pace, Mark Strong, Tom Payne).

“Miss Pettigrew” benefits from the performances of McDormand, Adams and girl-voiced Shirley Henderson (who portrays a schemer with her own tangled love life). The repercussions of serious lies, and even some inescapable truths, are toned down in this coincidence-filled reality, but it’s a crazy day that the titular character--and viewers--should remember fondly.

“Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” will be screened exclusively at Ayala cinemas starting April 22.