Miss Potter
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Movie Reviews of Miss Potter
Movie Review: Delightful!
Summary: 5 Stars
Miss Potter is based on the life of Beatrix Potter, children's author and artist of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," "Jemima Puddleduck," and "Benjamin Bunny" - among many others. Beatrix was raised in London by aristocratic parents who sheltered her from the rest of the world. Her childhood was influenced by the summers her family spent at the Lake District, where Beatrix would sketch the animals she encountered.
As a grown woman of 32, Beatrix is considered an "old maid" and has decided that she shall not marry. She puts her drawings and childhood stories into a book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," and meets with two brothers who own a publishing house. The brothers agree to publish her book, but only so they can foist the project off on their younger brother Norman, who they are sure will fail.
What ensues is magic. Norman cares passionately about Miss Potter's book, and it becomes a huge success. They continue to make books together - and they fall in love. Her mother, who hates it when Beatrix brings "trades people" into the house (they bring in dirt), is horrified.
I won't tell you any more of the plot, because I want you to see this movie. It is a love story, a story of a young woman becoming her own person, and an imaginative fairy tale. The scenery of the Lake District in Britain is reason enough to watch the film. Throw in brilliant performances by Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, and Emily Watson, mix in the beautiful watercolors of Potter herself, and you have a perfect film.
For fellow Monarch of the Glen fans, there's also a treat: Lloyd Owen, who plays Archie's brother Paul on Monarch, also appears in the film.
It is rated PG for brief mild language, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was.
Movie Review: Light-hearted, charming and full of colorful friends
Summary: 5 Stars
I rented this DVD for my wife, thinking it was the kind of thing she'd enjoy. She loves period films and adores Renée Zellweger. I'm not typically fond of either of those two things so I didn't figure on watching much if any of the movie. But as the film started, and I happened to be in the room, I realized quickly that this is a charming and warm movie built on a strong character.
Notably, Renée Zellweger seems to nearly disappear into the role of Beatrix Potter and you quite forget that you're watching her act. It's rare to see that kind of skill but when it is captured in a movie like this it's magical.
Ewan McGregor is every bit the modern leading man but with a respectful nod to the dashing gents of yesterday's Hollywood. He is easy-to-like and doesn't for a moment feel as though he's trying to 'star' in this movie. He's more than happy to let the movie become its own entity in which he is but a part.
I began by saying that I wasn't sure I'd even sit down and watch this film, so it's worth noting that I sat entertained straight through to the end as was glad I did. This is certainly something you can watch with the kids, though the romance and the character development might be a bit slow for some of the younger ones.
One very odd thing to mention is that the DVD cover art is quite strange in that it shows Ewan McGregor clean shaven. But when you watch the movie you'll realize that he sports a moustache throughout. Not sure why the difference in appearance from one to the other but it was something that caught my eye as I navigated to this page to leave this review. It hardly matters though... this movie is about so much more than just a moustache. :)
5 Stars! Highly recommended!!
Movie Review: an enchanting movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
Step into the enchanting world of Beatrix Potter! Meet her friends, which are her drawings come to life. Though Beatrix is expected to marry well, she rejects all of the rich suitors that the well meaning Mrs. Potter shoves her way. Beatrix dreams of marrying because she loves the man, not to be a silly girl who marries because all the other girls do. When her mother gives up on Beatrix marrying, Beatrix doesn't seem to mind. She buries herself in her art and writing her little stories. Beatrix dares to dream that her "creation" called Peter Rabbit is publishable. After visiting many publishers, she is finally accepted at Warne publishers. But Beatrix soon learns that the publishers have ulterior motives for accepting her book. The two Warne brothers give the "bunny book" to their younger brother, who insists on joining the family business. The "bunny book" is a project to keep their dear brother from botching other things in the company. Enter Norman Warne. Norman however is aware of his brothers intentions, and is determined to prove to them that he is a good business man. Upon looking at Beatrix's book he is enchanted. He tells Beatrix that they will make a "bunny book" to proud of. Thus Norman Warne wins Beatrix's confidence in his abilities. Through their work together their romance begins. It is sweet and innocent, and strong as it stands the test of both her parent's disapproval and society's disapproval. The music and the sets and costumes are quite beautiful and lend credence to the time period. I especially loved the music box, dance scene. Through it all Beatrix becomes the most well known children's author of her time. She opens a new chapter in children's literature and illustrating. I definately reccommend this movie!Movie Review: WONDERFUL STORY about a WONDERFUL LADY
Summary: 5 Stars
Miss Potter is a delightful film about children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, played by Renee Zellweger. Beatrix decides she will not marry, and instead will pursue a career as an author and illustrator of children's books - a very bold and unusual thing in Victorian England in the late 1800's. She receives scant encouragement in her pursuit until the Warne brothers agree to publish her first book, The Tale Of Peter Rabbit, and assign it to their youngest brother, Norman, in the hope he will fail and thereby give up the idea of joining them in the family business. Played by Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Moulin Rouge, Down With Love, Big Fish), Norman becomes enchanted with Miss Potter and her book, as does his sister, Millie, played by Emily Watson (Gosford Park, The Waterhorse). The three become great friends, and eventually Norman and Beatrix fall in love.
Meanwhile, Miss Potter's books are selling like hot cakes, and she eventually finds herself a very wealthy woman - much to the surprise of her mother, who has never understood her or her interest in art - and can now make her own way in the world - again, highly unusual for the time. She begins buying up estates in the Lake District of England - at first to settle there, but later to preserve the area as a farming district. Eventually, she donates 4,000 acres of the most prime real estate to the British people as a national trust. This is one of the most gorgeous films you will ever see, and a wonderful story about a wonderful lady. It is full of imagination, cleverness and childhood magic. Director Chris Noonan, writer Richard Maltby, Jr., and the entire production crew should be commended for creating a cinematic gem.
Waitsel Smith
Movie Review: Celebrating Beatrix
Summary: 5 Stars
MISS POTTER is a glorious, whimsical family film. A biography of the life and times of the beloved children's author, Beatrix Potter, this film brings to life her incredible world and vivid imagination. Sweet, joyful, and touching, MISS POTTER is not to be missed.
Beatrix Potter lived a unique and rich life inside her head. Her friends, Peter Rabbit, Jemimah Puddle-duck, Benjamin Bunny, Tom Kitten, and a host of others, jumped out of her fertile, active mind and on to the water-color pages she so lovingly painted. A spinster at the turn of the century, Beatrix Potter over came her quirkiness and shyness to become the world's best known children's author. By a sheer twist of fate, she was thrown together with a publisher who believed in her and her work. She remained innocent and naive throughout most of her life, unaware of her fame and her fortune, and under the thumb of a mother who did not understand her or believe in her. Eventually, she finds her own way, and the children everywhere, and the entire world, are much richer for it.
MISS POTTER is beautifully acted with stunning locations. Renée Zellweger is simply delightful in the title role, and Ewan McGregor is outstanding as the one person who believes in her completely. They are magical together, making this film a joy to behold. The lush settings and locations are gorgeous; the colors leap off the screen, enveloping the audience in Beatrix Potter's life.
Multiple generations of my family were touched by this this celebration of Beatrix Potter on a quiet Christmas afternoon. Entertaining and beautiful, MISS POTTER is MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. My mother-in-law, Suzanne, would have adored this film.