Miss Potter
Brief Description:
The story of Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved and best-selling children’s book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and her struggle for love, happiness, and success.
Date: 2006
Genre: biographical romance drama
Running time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Cast:
Renée Zellweger (Beatrix Potter)
Lucy Boynton (Young Beatrix)
Ewan McGregor (Norman Warne)
Lloyd Owen (William Heelis)
Justin McDonald (Young William)
Emily Watson (Millie Warne)
Bill Paterson (Rupert Potter)
Barbara Flynn (Helen Potter)
Oliver Jenkins (Bertram)
Anton Lesser (Harold Warne)
David Bamber (Fruing Warne)
Phyllida Law (Mrs. Warne)
Judith Barker (Hilda)
Matyelok Gibbs (Wiggin)
Lynn Farleigh (Lady Sybil)
John Woodvine (Sir Nigel)
Jane How (Lady Armitage)
Geoffrey Beevers (Mr. Copperthwaite)
Clare Clifford (Mrs. Haddon-Bell)
Richard Mulholland (Ashton Clifford)
Director: Chris Noonan
Production companies:
Phoenix Pictures
UK Film Council
BBC Films
Grosvenor Park Media
Isle of Man Film
Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5
I fell in love with this film within the first few seconds. THE AESTHETIC IS SO, SO PERFECT. The beautiful countryside, the lovely painting, the gorgeous props... it’s absolutely amazing. And it just gets better and better. I can’t vouch for how historically or geographically accurate it is, but it’s beautiful. One of the prettiest films I have ever seen.
Characters: 5/5
Again, I cannot speak to how accurate this is, since I have yet to finish a biography of Beatrix Potter. I think Renée Zellweger portrayed her very well. She made me love and appreciate Beatrix more than ever before. And Ewan McGregor was a perfect Norman Warne. He was so sweet and lovely! And I LOVED Willie Heelis!! (That gorgeous accent, oh my.) Millie was such an amazing friend; and Mr. Potter was such a darling father. As for Helen, I understand she was well done; and and young Beatrix + Bertram were so cute.
Plot: 5/5
I knew going into this film how Beatrix + Norman’s romance would end, but otherwise I had no clue what the plot was about. I loved getting to see how the books were made and how Beatrix’s career grew. And the flashbacks to her childhood were SO well done and so very adorable!! The film was just so sweet and funny and beautiful, I loved every moment. I cried at the climax, but then the film becomes so bittersweet and lovely... ugh, it’s one of my top favourite films ever now.
Romance: 5/5
Beatrix & Norman are the cutest, sweetest, most darling couple ever. <3 And the second romance in the film is much more understated—just hinted at—but it’s perfectly done.
Theme/Message/Topics: 4/5
I wasn’t a fan of the feminism; but the characters who were the most feminist admitted later in the film that they only said it to comfort themselves for their singleness and didn’t really mean it. I related a bit to Beatrix’s longing for purpose. I appreciated how respectful, while still truthful, she was with her parents. And I loved her declaration that getting to love was worth the agony.
Content: 4/5 (low)
One kiss between N&B; 1 “d*mn,” 1 “bas**rd”; family tension because of Mrs. Potter, who was not a nice woman.
Overall: 5/5
I would watch this again immediately. It’s amazing. I need to find my own copy somewhere that I can watch over and over...
