Movie Review: Miss Potter is a Delight!

Last night I watched Miss Potter based on the life of children's author Beatrix Potter. What a delight! I've always loved Beatrix Potter and her animal friends: Mrs. Tiggy Winkle with her pocket handkerchief, mischievous Peter Rabbit wearing his bright blue jacket with brass buttons, Squirrel Nutkin and his adventures. What an imagination she had bringing all these wonderful creatures to life to charm children through several generations.

I'm never quite sure whether movies about real people accurately reflect the truth about their lives. So the first thing I did was look up Potter's biography. The facts are all accurate in outline. Whether the portrayal of her mother as a bossy matriarch who never understood her daughter and failed to appreciate her talent is still a question. The same can be said of the portrayal of her father as an indulgent and loving man who greatly appreciated Beatrix's artistic talent and accomplishments.

The story fascinates from the first scene. One of its especially charming features is the way some of her illustrations "come to life" as she draws. Occasionally the imaginative Miss Potter scolds them, telling Jemima Puddle-Duck and Peter Rabbit to behave themselves.

Renee Zellweger is absolutely perfect as the adult Beatrix and child Beatrix played by Lucy Boynton charmed me from her first appearance. In fact, the entire cast reflected the spirit of Victorian England convincingly, while also catching the breeze of a new era where women take a more active role in society.

The romance between Beatrix and her publisher, Norman Warne, played by Ewan McGregor is heartwarming. The scene where he sings and dances with her to the tune of a music box gave me chills. You can see the budding love between these two kindred spirits.

I heartily recommend this delightful film. It would make great family viewing. If you haven't seen it, get out the popcorn, invite your favorite movie buddy to join you, and settle in for an enjoyable evening.