This is a great little film. Once you get past Amy Adams' rather annoying character it's a real delight, especially once you realise the context it is in - the contrast of the unemployed nanny to the spoilt actress and her priviledged lifestyle set on the eve of war as a warning of how quickly the privileges can be taken away. Watch it - you'll feel better afterwards! Or watch it just for the transformation of Lee Pace from Piemaker Ned in Pushing Daisies to a rather hunky piano playing English gent!
Miss Pettigrew is amazingly faithful to the period in which its set. The costumes and sets really capture the pre-World War II setting superbly. However this is really the only real strength of the film. The story is very disappointing, with some of the personalities onscreen proving to be annoying. Amy Adams brings her bright personality to a new overbearing level. The attempt at situational comedy is poorly scripted. Clearly this is a period drama in search of a script.