Perhaps you missed the 2006 film Miss Potter, as I did the first time around, but it's still here, of course, on DVD, waiting to delight and inspire us. Where do I begin? Take a look at my notes:  "Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit, Renee Zellweger, Victorian England, conserving the Lake District, publishing, small book with millions of readers, creative fire, romance."

Let's start with what we know. Renee Zellweger, that amazing actress who went from high school cheerleader and drama club member in little Katy, Texas, to big old Hollywood, who sparkled as Dorothy Boyd (Jerry Maguire's boyfriend), charmed us as Bridget Jones, and won an Oscar for her role in Cold Mountain, has never done better work than her portrayal of Beatrix Potter.

I hadn't read much about this film. I knew I had missed it on the big screen, and knew that I wanted to see Renee Zellweger, as well as Ewan McGregor (who plays her publisher and suitor). I wanted to learn more about the woman who wrote the Peter Rabbit books I had read as a child. I expected this to be a good "small movie" about a successful woman writer in Victorian England. I had just seen Young Victoria (another film that's worth a first, and second, look).

Well, forget the "small movie" expectations. Miss Potter is a big film in many ways. It has the feel of many talented individuals doing their best work.  From the excellent writing and direction, to the passionate acting, to the cinematography, to the sets and costumes, to the music, to the twinkle in Miss Potter's eye when she talks to her creation, Peter Rabbit, or is in the presence of her handsome publisher, or is walking through the Lake District she loves, this is a very big film.

It's character-driven. It tackles important ideas that were central to the life of Beatrix Potter:  the escape from the repressing, narrow world of a young woman growing up in mid-Victorian England; the pursuit of one's creative dreams; the discovery of love; and the conservation of the Lake District. Because of her great publishing success, Beatrix Potter was able to buy first her own farm there, and eventually a total of 14 farms and 40,000 acres in the Lake District, saving the land from developers and giving it to the National Trust.

There's a line in the film that speaks to the story it tells, and to the life of Miss Potter. Beatrix says, "Stories don't always end where their authors intended. But there is joy in following them, wherever they take us." The film itself is incredibly joyful. Don't miss it.

Tags: Ewan McGregor, Miss Potter, Peter Rabbit, Renee Zellweger

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 at 6:18 am and is filed under Children's books, Inspirational. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.