“I love writing the first lines of a story. You never know where it will take you…”


Miss Potter stars Renee Zellweger as the English author Beatrix Potter, the all-time highest selling author of children’s books. Set right at the beginning of the twentieth century, she must battle the prevailing attitude that women can only aspire be married, a concept believed by none so strongly as her mother. Her mother’s social snobbery is not fully compensated for by her more reasonable father, and as is so often the case, the parents trying to “do what’s best” for their daughter only compounds her problems.

On the other hand the youngest brother of a family who own a publishing house – Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor), who is given the task of publishing Potter’s books to keep him off his brother’ backs – after all, they have to attend to the serious running of the company. With his encouragement Beatrix starts off with the Tale of Peter Rabbit and her artistic creations soon multiply – Jemima Puddleduck and Miss Tiddiwinkle are to follow. Miss Potter proves to be a hit with Norman’s rather quirky sister, Millie (Emily Watson) as well. Then love seems to be in the air… but mother, and even father, don’t approve. Unbeknownst to Beatrix Potter, her problems are only just starting…

I really don’t know how close to the true-life story of Beatrix Potter this book is, but many elements of it are certainly based on real events. She had to fight to be taken seriously in the male-dominated society of the time, and her books really did capture the imagination of children then – and now, for that matter. The storyline is woven nicely, and while it moves fairly sedately most of the time, there are a couple of moments that really catch you unawares (I won’t tell you what they are or it would lessen the effect when you see the film, but once you have, you’ll know which one in particular I mean). It has a fine cast, with Zellweger and McGregor teaming up again (previously they co-starred in Down With Love and they work together effectively here in this much different type of film. I have to admit though that much as I like Renee, I did find her portrayal of Potter just a little annoying in the first part of the film. Bill Patterson gives a typical performance as the gruff but kind-hearted father to Barbara Flynn’s overbearing mother with delusions of grandeur.

The trailer does show a little interaction between Potter and the characters she draws. This is nicely done although it isn’t actually a really major part of the film. There are also some flashbacks showing some of the events in her childhood that shaped her as an adult. These are used effectively and sparingly. The music score is nice (that word again) and very appropriate for the film.

There is a nice element of humour in the movie, much of it in the dialogue, which helps to make it one of those movies that children and adults will both enjoy but for very different reasons. It’s a very sweet movie and although it’s rated PG for mild language, I didn’t even notice that so really can say that this is a completely inoffensive film. My wife and I both really enjoyed it (and going to the cinema at three in the afternoon was awesome, there were only another couple and ourselves watching the film!), but I wouldn’t say it was outstanding. Somehow it wasn’t quite what I was expecting – but then, I don’t really know what I had been expecting. Still, a very nice, entertaining, and gentle film, and I would definitely recommend it.

Runtime: 92 minutes
Year of release: 2006 (in the UK – and only just nipped in before the end of 㤎!)
Director: Chris Noonan


Links

Down With Love

Bridget Jones’ Diary
Cold Mountain
White Oleander
Chicago

The Island
Revenge of the Sith



Top Ten Children's Movies


See also: My Top Ten Movies of 2006

Recommended: Yes