ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

RENEE ZELLWEGER’S performance as Bridget Jones saw her virtually adopted as an honorary Brit. Now she puts that accent and her talent to very good use in ‘Miss Potter’, a wholesome, heartwarming tale of Beatrix Potter and her struggles to match professional achievements with personal happiness.

Initially, this seems like a rather twee, old-fashioned, Sunday tea-time sort of film, but it develops into a completely captivating little charmer. Anyone who enjoyed ‘Finding Neverland’ is sure to fall under its spell.

An unmarried woman with a talent for writing and illustrating children’s stories, Beatrix Potter (Zellweger) spends her adult life fighting against the expectations of her family and the restrictions of her gender.

Her mother, Helen (Barbara Flynn), believes that it is a woman’s duty to find a suitable husband and build a home. Her father, Rupert (Bill Paterson), is more sympathetic towards her artistic pursuits.

The film charts her life as she is finally accepted by a publisher and stories like ‘The Tale Of Squirrel Nutkin’ become bestsellers.

Her little book is given to the black sheep of the publishing family, Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor), who proves to be a kindred spirit. He finds both the books and Beatrix absolutely delightful.

The story of her enormous success and growing attachment to both Norman and his unconventional sister Millie (Emily Watson) is the basis of a very appealing film in which Potter’s farmyard characters are brought to life as animated figures.

Performed with great zest by Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, ‘Miss Potter’ is a film for anyone who loves a good story and a tale that celebrates the human spirit’s ability to overcome all obstacles.

Nationwide release

Director: Chris Noonan
Stars: Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Bill Paterson, Emily Watson, Barbara Flynn
Screenwriter: Richard Maltby Jr
Certificate: PG
Running time: 93 mins
Country: UK/USA
Year: 2006

© Allan Hunter, 2006