A modern fairy tale about a young woman, Penelope (Christina Ricci), who is afflicted by a family curse: she was born with a pig’s snout for a nose. Hidden away in her family’s majestic home, Penelope is continually subjected to meeting rich bachelors who have no interest in her other than her dowry -- her parent's futile attempt to marry her off and break the curse… a curse that can only be broken when she is loved by one of her own kind. A husband cannot be found (they all go running for the door!). Meanwhile, a tabloid reporter Lemon (Peter Dinklage) hires Max (James McAvoy) to pose as a prospective suitor in hopes of snapping a photo of the mysterious Penelope. Max finds himself drawn to Penelope and, not wanting to expose or disappoint her, disappears. Fed up by this latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope breaks free from her family and goes out into the world in search of adventure - curse or no curse!