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.
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.