Movie Review: "Miss Potter"

~~"Miss Potter" Movie Review (2006)~~

Here is a delightful movie that is sweetly romantic, touching, cute, innocent, and provides a little bit of "history" in the hidden form of a behind-the-scenes tale reflecting the life of Beatrix Potter. We watched this movie just last night, and I can safely say that is is an adorable film. It features a talented {mostly} British cast, all of whom will sweep you into their parts... 

The Cast

Renée Zellweger as Beatrix Potter

She's a writer. An artist. A dreamer. And a little crazy? Maybe. And try as she might there's no way she's going to convince herself that she will never marry, even though that's what she's vowed to do.

Ewan McGregor as Norman Warne

He's the youngest of three brothers. He's always wanted to make his way in the world and join his siblings' printing press--not sit around at home and twiddle his fingers among the family riches. Then his chance comes--a certain Miss Potter wants to publish a silly children's tale that his brothers will have nothing to do with.

Emily Watson as Millie Warne

Cute, loyal, funny, and rather strong-willed...Beatrix is her first friend, and they're best friends on the spot. Millie makes sure of that!

Barbara Flynn as Helen Potter

Haughty, self-centered, and snappish. But she loves her daughter Beatrix, and just wants what's best for her. She has no hope in these silly "bunny tales," and strongly disapproves of a relationship with a certain "unacceptable" gentlemen. "But...he's beneath us!"

Bill Patterson as Rupert Potter

The adoring father. The one who's always lifted his daughter upand encouraged her to pursue her art and tales. The reason she's as far as she is today.

Miss Potter is based on the true story of Beatrix Potter (Renee Zellweger), a single, middle-aged writer/painter who lives in London during the early 1900s with a family ranking high on the financial totem pole. Since she despises her snippy, buttoned-up society, she uses her watercolor illustrations and stories as a helpful escape device, creating a series of popular children books about Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-Duck and the rest of her "friends."

While some might call her batty—she speaks to these animations as though they are real, and the movie shows them come to life through her eyes—others might acknowledge that the Victorian Era isn't exactly the cuddliest of times, and fun should be grabbed wherever it pops up. Nonetheless, her disapproving mother (Barbara Flynn) ridicules her art and tries to pawn her off on rich "acceptable" gentleman, but she finds herself more drawn to the "unacceptable" Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor), a kindred spirit who loves her work and helps publish her books.

 It's sweet, adorable and just plain delightful.
The great thing about Miss Potter is that it's a PG movie that both kids and adults can enjoy. The script by newcomer Richard Maltby Jr. offers a few unexpected turns that may warrant a dab of the eye, but even when sad things occur, there is an underlying feeling of hope. It helps that Emily Watson is there to provide comic relief as Miss Potter's confidante Millie.

~Taken from "Cinema Blend" movie reviews...slightly edited/added-to by myself~

Lucy Boynton as the Young Beatrix

Justin McGregor as Young William

I thought this picture was *so* cute! This is the inspiration  look. ;)

Awww...<3

...All in all, this movie is a must-see for lovers of English countryside, accents, =) etc. On a scale of 1-10, I would give this movie a seven star rating. One thing—the guy on the cover {above}…who is he? I can’t figure it out! Her…*ahem*…guy has a moustache. There is another guy in the movie without one (I won’t tell you what happens with him—I’m no spoiler!), but {okay, I notice weird things, lol} he has long, square sideburns, not pointy ones. And he never kisses her. Hmm. I’m thinking they just used a different guy for the cover to make it look more romantic than it really is. How weird is that??

Anyways—cute, cute, cute! Please look into seeing this movie, ladies {I wouldn’t really suggest it for guys…not exactly a Chick Flick, but it’s rather…un-guy-ish}! I had so much fun watching this with my family.