5/11/08

Miss Potter (or me as a weeping wreck!)

Wow - what can I say about this little gem of a movie to possibly do it the justice it so richly deserves?

Well it made me emotional and very tearful, it just brought my whole childhood flooding back in a really good way. I loved the Beatrix Potter books as a child, had the whole set and was enchanted by them like many children around the world for over 100 years. I grew up loving Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggywinkle from a very young age.

This film tells not only the story of how Beatrix developed the stories and got them published, but it also tells you her own personal story.

Renee Zellweger is wonderful as Beatrix, although for the first five minutes it was like Bridget Jones again, as she only seems to have one British accent! But she just becomes Beatrix so believably that I think she epitomised the artist and person, her vision and joy in life. Ewan McGregor is also wonderful as her enthusiastic publisher and first love, playing the role with an inner vibrancy that you feel. Both Renee and Ewan have long been favourite actors of mine, for the uncanny ability they have to transform themselves so believably you forget they're acting.

For all the anglophiles who read my blog but may not be Beatrix Potter fans, then you should see this if for no other reason than the gorgeous locations in the Lake District. The attention to detail with the Victorian period costumes and sets is also very accurate.

I seem to have used alot of superlatives in this movie review and 'wonderful' has been the word that's popped into my mind persistently to describe it. I will definitely be adding this movie to my collection and watching it again many times. It takes a great movie to connect with you as deeply as this one did with me and it stirred up so many happy emotions and memories that I was a weeping wreck by the end!

So if you are a fan of these little books and loved them as a child, then beware. But whatever you do, just don't miss it.

10 comments:

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Oh I love that film too and thought exactly the same when Rene starts talking... "am i watching Bridget Jones again"!!

Whenever any friends or family have children they are always given the Peter Rabbit book to start a collection that is added to over the years!

Victoria xx

Pam said...

oooh! i haven't heard of this one! and i heart ewan mcgregor very much. can't wait to find this one now! must tell the husband about the lake district AGAIN ... that's one place we have not been together.

Tess Kincaid said...

Yes, I agree, this is a lovely little film. I had to buy myself a copy after I saw it in the theater. (I cry every time I watch it)

dabrah said...

Glad to see you posting. I caught the news a bit earlier and they said there was a tornado in Oklahoma. I hope it wasn't anywhere near you.

I met Peter Rabbit for the first time when I had children, and I was entranced. I haven't seen this film but I'll make a point of watching now.

Vickie said...

I have been looking forward to adding this to my collection. Good to know that it is as good as I thought it might be.
Thank you for the review.

Anonymous said...

Did you see the one with Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen? I'm interested in seeing that. I've also wanted to see this one. I'm thinking I need to join Netflix again!

Unknown said...

AFF - no not yet but it's on the Netflix queue!

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

I really liked this movie too! My husband "suffered" through it, but I thought it was really good :)

The Diva said...

An absolutely beautiful movie. The Diva and I saw it and cried most of the way through.

I fell in love with the books and the beautiful British adaptation of them when the Diva was little. All my children loved the books and the videos. Thanks for reminding me of this movie.

Have you seen the watercolor videos of Peter Rabbit et al.?~~Dee

Anonymous said...

I've been wanting to see this movie so badly! Did you see The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton? That was a good one too.