"Miss Potter" the story of Beatrix Potter, beloved author of children's books such as "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," is dramatized in this sweet, gentle film directed by Chris Noonan ("Babe") and starring Renee Zellweger (in the title role), Ewan McGregor and Emily Watson. Part historical depiction of the manners and mores of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, part love story and part artist's journey, this movie is the anti-thesis of the usual Hollywood offering. To be certain, the starched collars and stiff upper lips of the early 1900s will seem unbelievably chaste to most viewers, but fans of Merchant/Ivory or Jane Austen will appreciate the sweet romance.
Zellweger puts on her best British accent again as the slightly eccentric spinster who falls in love with her publisher played by McGregor with earnest appeal. The costumes and sets are flawless and the rural English countryside is breathtaking.
Potter was the J. K. Rowling of her day--wildly popular among children of all ages and earning buckets of money from her stories. Her tender tales of rabbits and ducks and reflect her passionate interest at an early age for all creatures. Her detailed illustrations are captured and even come to life in the film--illuminating her imagination and how involved she was in her creations. In addition to her artistic endeavors, Potter was an avid nature conservationist. Upon her death she willed 4,000 acres of land to the National Trust
The movie captures pieces of her childhood inspirations and the process of bringing her creature characters to life. But more importantly, it chronicles the life of an artist who was able to go well beyond the constraints of her gender remain true to her heart and to live an independent life. In her time, this was an accomplishment more fantastic than anything experienced by Peter Rabbit!
