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.

Passion of the Christ: Not for the Squeamish

Larry and I watched Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ last night as our Good Friday meditation. During the day I read St. Francis de Sale's Lenten talk for Good Friday. What a world of difference between words on a page and visceral images of the beatings and scourgings!

This is only the second time I've seen the film. I could never bring myself to put it on again remembering how graphic and gruesome it was, how barbaric his torturers were. I'm reminded of the surgeon, Pierre Barbet, who wrote in his book, A Doctor at Calvary, that he can no longer walk the way of the cross because he is so aware of what our salvation cost the Savior:

A Movie Worth Watching Over and Over

Larry and I started watching House of Cards last week but after one episode I decided I'm sick of filling my head with stories of intrigue, betrayal, and immorality. We watched the British version a few years ago and the American appeared to be following it closely. When I thought of all the murder and mayhem, it made my heart sink. Who needs it?

So from now on my focus for crash time will be inspiring movies of the saints. (I think I had a St. Ignatius of Loyola experience -- medieval romances left him empty, lives of the saints filled him with admiration and zeal..) One of my favorite movies in the genre of holy men and women is The Reluctant Saint about St. Joseph of Cupertino. We've probably watched that half a dozen times at least. Maximilian Schell as Joseph is sweet and dear and his whole body professes simplicity and humility. A Man for All Seasons about St. Thomas More is another favorite and Paul Scofield is magnificent. I saw him play the same role on stage years ago and he was equally compelling. The courtroom scene gives me goosebumps every time I see it.

But last night we added another work to the repertoire of fantastic films, Pius XII, Under the Roman Sun.



The film would make a good companion piece to The Scarlet and the Black since both films cover the same period, the occupation of Rome during World War II and the Vatican's involvement in rescuing Jews and others targeted by the Nazis.

The Miracle of Marcelino is Back...

...in a remake of the classic story. See the official website.

Don't Just Condemn the Bad; Acknowledge the Good: The Movieguide Awards Gala

One of the wonderful things about Church history is learning the numerous occasions where wise Holy Mother Church addressed pagan practices by substituting something good for something evil. Saints and the poor souls in purgatory take the place of goblins, ghouls, and evil spirits. The winter solstice is replaced with the celebration of Christmas, etc. Praising the good is always a wise practice for parents as well. Rewarding the good often multiplies good behavior. I think it was St. Francis de Sales who said you can catch more flies with a  spoonful of honey than with a barrel full of vinegar.

And that's the principle behind the Movieguide Awards Gala that recognizes inspiring and faith-affirming film projects. Secretariat, The King's Speech, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader are among this year's awardees (I saw and recommend all three), but less famous films are also on the list. Take a look and praise God for filmmakers who are offering audiences alternatives to the violence, filth, and nihilism of so much Hollywood fare. Movies aren't going away any time soon, so let's support the good ones!

2011 Movieguide Awards - Best Mature Films Red Carpet