Rough draft of a charming fairy tale

“Penelope” looks like a whimsical, quirky little fairy tale and, every once in a while, sounds like a whimsical, quirky little fairy tale. There’s even an obvious but always welcome lesson to be learned here. But there’s no real rigor or craft applied to this story -- just mood, tone, neo-gothic imagery and frantic attitude.

If only “Penelope” knew what it truly wished to be and how to go about it. Which is probably what this overly coy fantasy’s modestly appealing title character wishes as well.

Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci) is the intelligent, demure daughter of wealthy parents (Catherine O’Hara, Richard E. Grant) who do everything to shield their daughter from public view. She has, you see, the nose of a well-bred sow, the legacy of a family curse that can only be broken if she bonds with someone “of her kind” -- meaning young men from other socially prominent families. Yet every one of these potential suitors runs screaming into the weeds as soon as they behold the Dreaded Snout.

Only Max (James McAvoy), a dashing wastrel, isn’t turned off by Penelope’s visage.

It turns out he’s afraid of other things, like intimacy, commitment or some such thing like that. Again, you’re not really sure, because the movie doesn’t really make anything clear. What’s certain is that O’Hara, one of the finest comedic actresses of this or any time, is forced to be overly strident and hysterical. (Sometimes that’s a good thing, but not here.)

Only Peter Dinklage’s suave, contained performance as a tabloid reporter suggests that anyone involved in this enterprise was thinking things through. And I may also be in a minority in thinking co-producer Reese Witherspoon’s turn as a leather-clad bike messenger who befriends Penelope provides a good look for her.

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“Penelope.” MPAA rating: PG for thematic elements, some innuendo and language. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes. In general release.