Genres

Visitors Review

2013-05-17 02:14:11

A movie for all "seasons"

For those who have grown up reading the Peter Rabbit and friends books so beautifully told and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, this movie draws us into her Victorian world. We are enchanted. Renee Zelwigger's delightful Miss Potter is vulnerable but strong, merry but dignified and always the proper Victorian lady but determined to have her way. "You and bunnies" we exclaim with Ewan McGregor and fall every bit as in love with her as he does. The homes brimming with gardens and adorned with Christmas glitter and glow open up with the lives of their residents as the tale weaves sorrow and laughter and music from the haunting score into our own hearts. The animation of the garden creatures within the film is the touch of whimsy of which Miss Potter would approve and, indeed, would be quite"adamant". Should I mention the scenery? I enthuse beyond what even Victorian romantics would approve. Just buy this DVD, every age will find it charming.

2013-05-16 05:27:40

A Real Gem

Call this one a sleeper. Not all video clubs got it; Hollywood Video didn't get it so I thought it was a B rated, turn of the century dime novel made for the movies. Wrong! This movie was one of the best of the year, if not the best. Renee Zellweger should have received professional recognition for her portrayl of Beatrix Potter, creator of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and other children's books. Great for the whole family. I have no idea how the PG rating was derived; the back of the DVD case said for "brief mild language" whaatever that means. I've ordered the movie so we'll be able enjoy it in our family for years to come.

2013-04-23 10:31:40

Highly entertaining

This review is from: Miss Potter (DVD) Renee Zellweger shows once again her skills as a truly great actress. She makes Miss Potter come alive. She makes you laugh, and love, and cry. For those who love biographical pieces, romance and "Peter Rabbit".

2013-04-22 17:19:44

Miss Potter

This review is from: Miss Potter (DVD) This movie is one of the best movies I have seen in years. It is so clean. No ugly wording or sexual scenes. I also thought the cinematography was beautiful and of very good quality. A movie all ages can watch. I have watched it several times and did not get tired of it, and that says alot for a movie produced today. It leaves with you a feeling of beauty and peace.Renee Zellweger did an outstanding job protraying Beautrix Potter. I am an artist, so naturally I enjoyed the drawing and painting scenes. Love those kind of movies.

2013-04-19 04:38:28

Enchanting...

This review is from: Miss Potter (DVD) I totally enjoy watching this movie over and over.. It has imagination, love, heartache, everything I consider in a good movie.. Also very moving .. I love it.. I have referred it to my sister and Her daughters and they have to their friends..

2013-04-18 11:23:08

good movie

This movie was on tv last night. I had never heard of it before but desided to watch it and I'm glad I did. it was a very good movie. She talk's to her drawing & they move when she does. She was a very strong woman & a great artist.

tommwells 2013-04-16 12:46:20

Don't Go See It, Buy It!

The remarkably talented cast and crew that meticulously used all of themagic of movie making to its best, created one of the most lovablefilms of all time. Just think how children in the future will be ableto get a sample of the whimsy and talent that Beatrix Potter put to usenot only in her wonderful books, but in her lasting legacy of over4,000 acres of Lake Area beauty that will be preserved forever.The chemistry between Ewan McGregor and Rene Zellweger was just asunique and real as it was in their previous film "Down with Love" whichalso included both of them singing one of the score's songs together.It was evident to me from the beginning that Ms. Zellweger knew whoshould play the role of Norman Warne.I've read from others that this is a "feel good" story. Yes, I think sotoo. But there is more than that. It somehow strikes me as a kind ofdocumentary on Miss Potter's life. She may have been born into awealthy family, but as an adult, she was her own woman and stayed thatway. It's like a 21st Century Woman thrown into those odd Victoriantimes and carrying on without letting anything stop her.Cheers to the Chris Noonan for orchestrating this remarkably big littlefilm. And a round of applause to Richard Maltby, Jr. for writing thislovely story.

2013-04-16 06:11:48

A marvelous period film in the best Weinstein tradition

I saw "Miss Potter" at the cinema and thoroughly enjoyed it. With beautiful scenery, moments to laugh out loud, times to cry, and a few delightful animations, "Miss Potter" takes us through the joys and frustrations of being a talented female author and illustrator in London at the turn of the century but being unrecognized as such by her own mother. I would heartily recommend this film!

2013-04-09 22:30:57

A Delightful Movie...

This review is from: Miss Potter (DVD) Miss Potter is a delightful movie and I enjoyed it for so many reasons. First, as an author myself, I could completely understand how the characters came to life in Miss Potter's mind and how she loved to tell the stories of each character. Secondly, this movie contained all of the elements of a great story: romance, drama, and a bit of humor.Miss Potter is based on the life story of author and artist Beatrix Potter, known for her best-selling "Tale of Peter Rabbit" books. Having a gift for art since she was a child, Beatrix continued to hone her talent and seek publication as an adult. However, as one from a wealthy and upstanding family in the early 1900s, Beatrix was expected to take a different route with her life - to marry, have children, and host social events in her fancy home. She, however, had a different dream - to see her stories published in book form.When Beatrix receives an acceptance from a large publisher, she is ecstatic. However, her mother is less than thrilled, and we see the conflict throughout the entire film. Her publisher assigns the publication of her books to the youngest brother of the owners of the company, a man named Norman, who is almost as excited as Beatrix is about her books. Will their partnership blossom into something more?This movie is appropriate for all ages, although those under 8 or so will not likely understand the story line and might become disinterested. There is nothing objectionable in this movie, although there is an incident where Norman is less than honest when he slips a bit of brandy into the elderly governess' tea. Spoiler alert - be sure to have a tissue box because there is an unexpected tragedy woven in the movie.I highly recommend this movie, which contains a delightful story line, a bit of wholesome romance, and encouragement to follow your dreams. I have added this movie to my list of mom-approved movie reviews on my wordpress blog.Reviewed by Penny Zeller, Author of "McKenzie."

2013-04-09 02:51:42

This Is England

MISS POTTER (2006, a/k/a MS. POTTER ) is director Chris Noonan's masterpiece! (It would have to be, since his biggest credit thus far is as writer/director of the classic BABE--but not the sequel!)Here, Beatrix Potter-Heelis (Renée Zellweger in what is hailed as the performance of a lifetime) is followed from her young adulthood to her marriage to country solicitor William Heelis (the great Lloyd Owen). Starting with her success as a children's author (THE children's author?) and ending with her purchase of Lake District land, the film breathes. I mean, it truly breathes with locations, costume (no designs, they used off-the-rack genuine stuff), perfect acting and a hint of the jolly humor Beatrix showed in abundance.Though I'm no expert on Beatrix, this dvd has two delightful, 20-minute-long documentaries explaining the life of Beatrix and the making of this film. Well worth it. In the biography, I learned that Beatrix married Heelis later in life, and there is no mention of her engagement to her publisher Norman Warne (perfectly cast Ewan MacGregor, allegedly Zellweger's idea). I do know that the Warnes are still around and in business.One thing I adored about this film was the attention paid to the actual composition/publication of the books, though it does not touch the number of books Beatrix published. It also shies away from her marketing genius: she virtually invented "marketing rights" and had royalties pouring in from endless sources, not just her books. She could have sold film rights...who knows.The addition of Bill Paterson as Beatrix's father Rupert and Barbara Flynn as her mother Helen is the most perfect casting I think I've ever seen in any film. Without over-burdening the film, these two immortals add the perfect weight to the portrayal of Beatrix's life. Indeed, this film could not have been done without them!My other favorites David Bamber (VALKYRIE) as Frewing Warne, Anton Lesser as Harold Warne and Phyllida Law (Emma Thompson's mother) as Mother Warne only add to the expert family quality of this great film. A surprise is in the character of Millie Warne (Emily Watson), Beatrix's best friend. Finally, kudos to the rarely seen Matyelok Gibbs as Ms. Wiggin, Beatrix's governess/chaperone.I can't say enough about this priceless gem, one of the unforgettable cinema classics of the 2000s. Get it and let your kids immerse themselves in it--especially if they like Beatrix's books (or even if they like Harry Potter). There is no excuse to miss this beautiful, funny, moving giant of a film.Beatrix deserves it.

2013-04-03 19:07:22

A Sweet Diversion

MISS POTTER is a film that is beautiful to watch, is heartwarming, and shows how a minimal story line can give an inside picture of the life of a famous person without superimposing the brouhaha that Hollywood usually frosts biographies. England 1902 is the time we meet Beatrix Potter (Renée Zellweger), a spinster in her late twenties whose life is centered on her 'friends' - the little animal figures who grace her stories, friends like Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck, Jeremy Fisher, Tom Kitten, Hunca Munca etc - as she attempts to have her illustrated children's stories published. Her overbearing mother (Barbara Flynn) disapproves of Beatrix' preoccupation with matters other than proper marriage and her father (Bill Patterson) supports her art but knows his daughter is not a 'fine artist'. Yet on a fluke Beatrix wins over the publishing firm of the Warne Brothers: offering to publish her books is more to appease the youngest brother Norman (Ewan McGregor) who pleads for a project that will make him part of the family business than to lend credibility to Potter's output. Potter and Norman Warne connect over the simple beauty of the books and with Norman's sister Millie (Emily Watson) the three find success in a difficult industry - one especially onerous for female authors.The story of Norman and Beatrix's developing love, appalling to her parents, includes a period of parental imposed separation as Beatrix moves to the Lake Country to write and paint and continue her growing passion for Norman in delicate letters. Norman succumbs to an illness and his death devastates Beatrix and Millie. Beatrix manages to temper her mourning with a newfound passion in the Lake Country, and with the help of her old friend William Heelis (Lloyd Owen), she purchases her Lake Country home and as one of the first 'environmentalists' she buys the surrounding farms to prevent their destruction by corporate industrial greed. Beatrix Potter has become a wealthy woman through her own triumph as a writer and illustrator of children's books and finds restored happiness in securing the fairytale countryside where her 'friends' continue to help her weave tales that remain to this time some of the world's finest stories.The visuals of this film, from the opening sequences of watercolor preparation to the enchanting vistas of the Lake Country, are stunningly beautiful. The script by Richard Maltby, Jr. remains rather superficial, but director Chris Noonan makes the best of a thin storyline to create a warmly human view of Potter. Renée Zellweger as Beatrix inhabits the roles in all but her flawed British accent, a factor that unfortunately stretches credibility in the presence of the rest of the professional cast. But she captures Potter's determination and vulnerability and in the end she wins our hearts. This is a fine little film that pays homage to a great lady of the literary arts: it is as unfettered and simple as the durable classics Potter left as her legacy. Grady Harp, June 07

2013-04-02 21:31:50

Beware US purchasers

This Blu-ray appears to imported from Australia. This version uses interlaced 1080 video at 25 frames per second, technically called 1080i50. Some US playback devices, particularly the PS3, do not support this. Note: this disc is NOT Region B, it is All Region. The problem is limited compatability of some players.The PS3 and all other players sold in Australia DO play this disc.

gandalf_a_1999 2013-03-29 23:45:24

well written tale

This movie drew me in from the start with its wonderful music and themain star Renée Zellweger. From then I knew this was going to be amovie well worth my time, Miss Potter was delightful to watch.The rabbit's quick blink after she entered the carriage near the startthought I was seeing things.The three well known stars in this film were excellent, the acting andMiss Potter's elegant white horse drawn carriage (what else),were wellsuited for this 1900's time period.Having read many of her books will make this movie all the more fun,though of course this is not necessary. Whether there is any truthhere, we are not given the 'based on a true stroy' line at the start somaybe not.A really enchanting tale, recommended.

2013-03-29 14:33:22

nice tearjerker, worth owning

It's a nice movie, a tear jerker and a nostalgia prompting one.It's about Beatrix Potter, the writer of the children's stories which were my first books as well as my kids.It presents a sympathetic young woman, gifted in both art and nature observation who becomes a patron of the rural community in England and donates her life's work to the National Trust.There is a side line of unfulfilled love and longing, a father who doesn't understand but encourages her and a social ladder climbing mom.But most of the movie is taken up with getting her first book into print and the struggles of a single talented, somewhat shy and reluctant woman writer/artist to show the world what she can do.There are too few people like her in our world, i hope the movie encourages young girls to emulate her and find their own way in the world, not necessarily the accepted and dominant one.worth owning and sitting down with friends to watch and discuss over late night coffee.

2013-03-29 06:46:44

I'm potty

This is an outstanding movie with genuinely charming characters. Rene Zellweger makes Potter her own and shows in her performance to be a head above the rest. Ewan McGregor does an ok with his usual charm in playing her shy suitor. This was a magnificent movie that had no bad language, explosions, car crashes, and relied totally on the story and character. Watching Beatrix develop from a withdrawn spinister into an self-governing woman in love. True love grows by inches and this is what was shown here, so when the kiss came it was powerful and had meaning. This is really not a guy's movie. I loved it!

2013-03-28 19:32:56

A Charmed Life

'Miss Potter' is thoroughly British. Complete with dry wit and charm, Rene'e Zellweger takes the lead in this thoroughly benign and lovable portrayal of Beatrix Potter, the fanciful creator of the 'Peter Rabbit' series. (Which remains the most successful children's literature in UK history. Although I wonder if 'Harry Potter' is giving her a run for her money.) A spinster still living at home, Beatrix is an avid artist who loves to sketch animals. Her absorbing interest is illustrated by the pictures coming to life with animated motion whilst she talks to her creations. Whether this is factual or fanciful matters little as it shows her zeal in her own creations, and effectively demonstrates how artists often have difficulty separating their own world with the ones they devise. In the background is her interest in men late in life, a matter of importance to her family and especially her friend, Millie. This aspect comes from the backdrop to the forefront as Mr. Warren, her publisher, not only fancies her books, but herself as well.Besides drawing a parallel with her absorbed interest in her work, Zellweger delivers a well-rounded sketch of her heroine. We see Beatrix come face life on her own terms, blossoming late in life and becoming assertive with her own affairs.Seeming at first to have a perfect life, there is, nevertheless, heartache in portions to create some tension, but how she copes is itself keenly interesting. Entirely innocent and drawing from such humor as putting a nip of brandy in the holiday coffee and servants who line up to snoop on the latest family developments, make 'Miss Potter' enchanted entertainment, indeed.

irish23 2013-03-27 22:57:31

A lovely film though just a tad weak on follow-through

"Miss Potter" contains all the elements one would expect of a periodpiece set in England: the examination of class, the clash between townand country life, gorgeous vistas of unbelievable green (funny howrarely it rained...), and the sets and costumes that lock the perioddown tight.The picture has the added bonus of an outstanding cast (a dream cast!),very deft direction, a magical touch, and some marvelous feel-goodmoments. Zellweger is outstanding -- she never slips out of character,from the way she holds her mouth to the balance of inner strength andoutward gentility she expresses so beautifully. Ewan McGregor, had hehad equal screen time, would likely have out-performed even her. Anexquisite portrayal. When I saw that Barbara Flynn, Emily Watson, and Bill Paterson roundedout the cast, I said out loud, "I would've watched this much sooner!"They did not disappoint, playing in turn a typical Victorian mother, a"New Woman" of the early feminist era, and a doting and somewhatunusual Victorian father. While others have commented on thesecharacterizations as almost stereotypical, they are actually quite trueto the period.The balance of Potter's present life, flashbacks to her childhood, andoccasional flights of fancy give the picture a wonderful buoyancy. Wekeep being drawn deeper into the story, bit by bit, increasinglyenchanted by a woman finally finding her place after a life-longsearch. (Come to think of it, McGregor's and Watson's characters havesimilar implied arcs, which is one reason the three seem so utterlyperfect together.) The picture builds to its affecting climax, but then seems to lose itsway a bit. We've been drawn into a story woven by many charactersinteracting, whereas the denouement focuses almost exclusively on oneor two. Most of the film focuses on a small period of time in Potter'slife, but the end seems to cover many years in a fraction of the time.Consequently, I found it disappointing and unfulfilling. I suspect Iwould want to stop the film at a particular point and imagine my ownending! No matter how hard they filmmakers try to stress that Potter hascompletely come into her own by the end of the film, we have so muchinvested emotionally in what we thought would be her life that we'renot prepared for this sudden twist of fate. We are not taken alongemotionally into her new self, and so the picture ends a bit flat.Overall I felt the picture could have used another 10 or even 15minutes to give all of the key cast members more screen time andback-story, and a much more satisfying wrap-up.But the rest of the picture is so lovely, so enchanting, that it reallyis a must-see.

Justin R. Aaron 2013-03-27 08:41:24

My review of Miss Potter in response to London Evening Standard critic. (Not accepted for publication.)

I was enchanted by the film "Miss Potter", and I had no prior knowledgeof her personal life. The casting was superb; the direction, thescreenplay and sets impeccable. I looked forward to your critic'sopinion on 4 January. Imagine my surprise, when Charlotte O'Sullivandisplayed insensitivity and ignorance of attitudes and behaviour to theevents that unfolded, which although alien to present culture, wastypical from the turn of the century, even up to the 1950's.As a child in the 40's and 50's I was in tune and enthralled with thenuances in contrast to your critic's ignorant derision. For example,she refers to Miss Potter "still living at home at 32". This was quitethe norm, as people lived at home until marriage. A woman who movedfrom home would have caused raised eyebrows and 'scarlet lady'thoughts. Similarly, it was no surprise that Norman lived at home ordid not work initially. The attitude of the parents at various stageswas exactly as I would have expected, and the film should be aneducation for younger filmgoers about earlier times. Not so for yourcritic who has been coarsened by "sex and violence" films. As for thecomment on that kiss, once again, it was not surprising that there wasno "passion", as they were shy, inexperienced and he may have hadentrenched views about intimacy before marriage. Perfectly enacted.The parents' compromise suggestion of 3 months separation to make sureof feelings as well as dismay at marriage to a tradesman would beexpected in that period. I recall a similar separation to make sure offeelings in "An Affair to Remember", a film in the mid 50's.The film was a personal triumph for me, as when the separation occurredand letters were flying daily, I suddenly whispered to my companion:"Everything is so perfect that I feel something terrible is going tohappen". How's that for being in tune with a great film.According to your critic I am unabashedly in the "sets'n'death" genre,but to put things in perspective, I view "Victor/Victoria", "TheFabulous Baker Boys", and "Mrs Henderson Presents" as great films. Yourpaper was not well served by Charlotte O'Sullivan, and I would begrateful if you publish this review.Further comment, not part of my review to ES: Renée Zellweger has acertain radiance and warmth; a splendid comedienne as displayed inBridget Jones's Diary and Down With Love, but can rise to the occasionwith dramas like Cold Mountain and Miss Potter.

Sunny 2013-03-25 18:48:37

Great Movie!

Worth your money for adults with or with out children! The screnary is beautiful! What an innocent biographical movie about Beatrix Potter. The actors and actresses are "normal" looking people, not flashy-looking movie stars. The plot keeps children interested and amused. For adults, there is light humor around every corner and some serious moments that get you choked up, but not scary for children. And what a relief, no sex, violence, or anything else immoral!

2013-03-25 03:10:52

Very Enjoyable!

This review is from: Miss Potter (Amazon Instant Video) I was really not expecting much when the film began. Then when Miss Potters sketches started coming to life I was really wondering why I selected this film. However, I stuck it out and really enjoyed the story. I would recommend this to anyone that is interested in biographies and love stories.