Miss Potter

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Drama

These days, when we think of children’s books, a certain Quidditch playing boy wizard comes to mind. Through all of the success of J.K. Rowling and her “Harry Potter” series, a lot of us forget that before Harry, there was Peter… Peter Rabbit that is. For the better part of the twentieth century, author Beatrix Potter’s creation of Peter Rabbit and other fellow anthropomorphic animals were the most popular children’s books. Ms. Potter didn’t just write the stories, she also meticulously painted and colored them.

In the film “Miss Potter”, we are introduced to Beatrix (Renée Zellweger), her imaginary characters, and her struggle to gain acceptance in a time not quite ready for such a unique character. In the early 1900s, English women were merely expected to marry, take care of the household, and produce heirs. However Beatrix was an independent thinker, and with the support of her father Rupert (Bill Paterson), she hones her artistic skill. Even as her mother Helen (Barbara Flynn) wants her to marry rich, Beatrix is quite content in her painting. When she gets her first work published, she is surprised to find herself falling for her publisher Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor). What follows is Beatrix’s attempt to balance both a burgeoning literary career, love, and desire to be independent.

That last line might seem typical of “women empowerment” films and the like, but what makes “Miss Potter” stand out is that it happened to a real person, and that it happened at the turn of the 20th century. Beatrix Potter really had to establish herself in her mid-30s as someone of considerable artistic and literary talent, even while most of the “civilized” world thought women like her should be confined to the household. To struggle against society, let alone one’s own mother, Beatrix really had to be made of stronger mettle. SPOILER WARNING!!! Coping with Warne’s death and a near-fall into madness must have made her ordeal all the more difficult. Yet she rose above that, and with the money she earned through her books, became a staunch conservationist as well.

In my mind, Texas-born Zellweger once again putting on a British accent isn’t such big news anymore. After two “Bridget Jones” films, she’s practically a Brit already. Yet her Potter is quite different from her Jones, particularly in terms of the neuroses of each. Whereas Bridget was insecure, overate, and alienated those close to her, Beatrix was actually confident, artistic, and conservative. Yet both are shown as passionate people, especially in terms of love and loving. It might be a bit jarring to see Beatrix cope with loss in such a muted manner at first, however her attempt to return to normalcy weighs heavy once director Chris Noonan shows the scene where all her characters seem to be running away from her.

Though this was first and foremost Zellweger’s film, I believe Emily Watson as Norman Warne’s sister Millie should also be given credit, since she also portrayed a particularly strong female in that constricting period. Barbara Flynn’s Helen Potter also served as an amusing counterbalance to Beatrix, and my annoyance with her only gave weight to how effective her acting skills were. And even though in the end, McGregor turned out to have quite a limited role, his character was crucial in the progression of the story and of Beatrix’s personality in her later years.

Perhaps my main quibble with the film is that, despite showing up in the flashback scenes, Beatrix’s younger brother Bertram was never shown as an adult. In fact, I told Jo at one point that I thought he might have died a gruesome death. Yet it was later revealed (as a mere footnote) that he had run off and married.

Admittedly, a film like this can drag a bit and leave you a bit sleepy, what with all the dialogue and the prim and proper English and their stodgy clothes. Also, you have to be of a certain mindset (i.e. wide awake and curious about “Peter Rabbit”) to enjoy it. However, Zellweger and company still manage to present a coherent story of one woman’s independent spirit and intelligence shining through in a time when these were such a rare occurrence. Happily, I believe more and more Beatrix Potters exist today. Yet “Miss Potter” is still a nice reminder of the first woman who fought the good fight.