Miss Potter (2006)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Chris Noonan

Writer (WGA):

Richard Maltby Jr. (written by)

Release Date:

5 January 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

The life of Beatrix Potter is the most enchanting tale of all.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Book | London | Single | Rabbit | Animal

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. July 18

9:45 AM

SHOW

Cast

Renée Zellweger	...	Beatrix Potter
Ewan McGregor	...	Norman Warne
Emily Watson	...	Millie Warne
Barbara Flynn	...	Helen Potter
Bill Paterson	...	Rupert Potter
Matyelok Gibbs	...	Miss Wiggin
Lloyd Owen	...	William Heelis
Anton Lesser	...	Harold Warne
David Bamber	...	Fruing Warne
Phyllida Law	...	Mrs. Warne
Patricia Kerrigan	...	Fiona
Lucy Boynton	...	Young Beatrix
Oliver Jenkins	...	Young Bertram
Justin McDonald	...	Young Heelis
Judith Barker	...	Hilda

MPAA:

Rated PG brief mild language.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG | Ireland:G | UK:PG | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Switzerland:0 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:0 (canton of Vaud) | Hong Kong:I | Finland:K-3 | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Brazil:Livre | Australia:G | Portugal:M/12 | Sweden:Btl | Argentina:Atp | New Zealand:G

Filming Locations:

Bluebell Railway, East Sussex, England, UK

Company:

Phoenix Pictures

Trivia:

Beatrix Potter's "Hilltop" house is actually "Yew Tree Farm" near the town of Coniston (part of the Lake District.)

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the railway station scene filmed on the Bluebell Railway, the LNWR on the tank locomotive has been very visibly altered from LWSR. The N stuck over the W is a really bodged job for such a close up shot.

Quotes:

Rupert Potter: Our daughter is famous, Helen. You're the only person who doesn't know it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Getaway: UK 4 Every 1 (#16.25)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

When You Taught Me How to Dance

Texan Zellweger does Beatrix Potter and English literature proud. Grand and exciting movie!

This is a fine movie. It has exquisite beauty, love, aspiration and dreams--- and meticulous historical vibes. It is very true to the real story of Beatrix Potter. It is also a solidly interesting and entertaining movie as well. Far from being only a mere confection and therefore meaningless, 'Miss Potter' is meaty and solid.

In addition to being a great dramatic movie and true to life, it also possesses charm and grace. The very selective animation of the watercolour characters she drew--- and animated only for Miss Potter's eyes, mind!--- are sweet, and totally in line with the original paintings she made 100 years ago. It is truly as if the characters come alive for her, and we get to share her passion, intimacy, and love for them, rather than the audience merely seeing a 'cartoon' of some kind. A welcome and pure delight!

The movie, in being faithful to the real Miss Potter's life, reflected her actual world. Note that she had a chaperon at all times, even when in her own garden, or shopping. Social mores and what was proper or not occupied her mother, who herself was only a generation away from being one of those odious and lowly creatures she so despised--- 'a tradesman'. Heavens!

Anyway--- given the life and times of Beatrix Potter, a movie about her will have certain degree of that as well--- a certain gentility. Note also that her children's books were also the very soul of discretion and refinement. She painted watercolor bunnies, for goodness' sake. I found the life she did lead, and which was amply depicted in this movie, to be as dramatic as any. Consider what she endured, and what she went through. As well as what she didn't go through. She was healthy, and rich, so we won't see a lot of struggling with survival. She was kind and refined, so we won't see a lot of violence and judgement and hatred, etc.---- those things were simply not in her.

She was, nonetheless, truly inspirational. She was bold, and a free thinker who displayed a lot of courage. She wasn't a prostitute or a criminal or a resistance fighter or a herion addict or any 'dramatic' thing like that. Maybe she didn't have to agonize over each piece of literature she produced, but the process of creativity and perseverance she did go through was inspiring to me.

Renee Zellweger did a remarkable job. And just think--- she comes from Texas! The fact that a Texan pulled off a spot-on portrayal of a great English artist seems to have bent the noses of a tiny few English folks--- maybe they are jealous, and stuck in some old and fetid dream of a long gone Empire? Dunno. But I loved Zellweger in this, and I think you will too. She masterfully and expertly did Beatrix Potter, and the English society of the turn of the last century, proud.