"Miss Potter" (2007) - Biography/Drama
Rating: PG
Starring: Reneé Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson.
Rating: 5 stars
I have always known Beatrix Potter to be a gifted children's author - after all, who in the world is not acquainted with "The Tale of Peter Rabbit"? But what I didn't know and found out after watching this masterpiece, is that she was also a superb artist, a woman decades ahead of her time, an environmentalist, and someone who truly left her mark on the world. Fantastically portrayed by the ever incredible Reneé Zellweger, the movie follows Beatrix from childhood as she begins to create the characters and stories that remain to this day as beloved as when they were first published. There are bits of magical animation throughout the movie, bringing the author's creations to life. Potter possessed an unbelievable sense of artistry and was an independent spirit that marched to the beat of her own drum (despite her mother's continuous attempts to put down her daughter's talent). The shackles of a woman's predetermined role in the society of the time were not strong enough to keep her from asserting her independence and living her life to its full glorious potential - quite a feat for a female born back then. Ewan McGregor plays Potter's first publisher and the man who wins her heart - and he is perfect as always. Potter's legacy extends to more than the literary and artistic fields: after purchasing her farm (the famous "Hill Top") in the stunning Lake District, she put a stop to out-of-control development by subsequently buying other farms around her - as they went up for sale - thus helping preserve the natural beauty of the region. In her will, Beatrix left 4,000 acres of unspoiled, preserved Lake District land to the British National Trust (the largest land donation ever made to that organization). It is there still, a living legacy to the memory of a most extraordinary human being. "Miss Potter" is by all means a must-see.