Friday, August 3, 2007

MISS POTTER

I finally got to watch the "Miss Potter" DVD, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The film, based on the life of famed children's book writer and illustrator, Beatrix Potter, was enjoyable in many ways.
It outlines the difficulty of a woman of her day in becoming a published author or artist. It also gives a good picture of the repression of women in general during Victorian times. For example, Beatrix' mother was aghast that Beatrix wanted to pay a visit to her printer's office.

"Miss Potter" is also a love story, between Beatrix and her publisher, Norman Warne (played by Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor). Beatrix's parents considered Norman beneath their daughter, because as a book publisher he was considered to be simply a tradesman. Their story demonstrates that love needn't be dramatic, or filled with fireworks, but can be friendship that deepens with time into something more.

I loved the costumes and "look" of the film, and Emily Watson as Norman's sister. Best of all, to me, was the beautiful scenery featuring the Lake District of England.

I knew that animation was going to be a part of the film, and I was a little worried, because I don't like animation, but I needn't have worried. The animated scenes are few and far between, they are subtle, and the animals do not speak!

I knew about Beatrix Potter, of course, but what I didn't know is that she was a preservationist. She gave almost all her property - nearly 4,000 acres - to England's National Trust, so that her portion of the Lake District will be preserved forever. I hope to see it some day, still in its pristine state.

Rowan of "Circle of the Year" (link at right), wrote a lovely post about her visit to Hilltop Farm, Potter's home in the Lake District.



8 comments:

Sheila said...

I still haven't seen this, and I really want to. I think I must buy it, as everyone seems to have enjoyed it so much.

Carole Burant said...

I watched this movie for the first time a couple of weeks ago and had made a post about it too...like you, I so enjoyed it!! Having read so many of Beatrix Potter's books, it was delightful to learn more about her personal life, although some parts were very sad. To me, she was a woman ahead of the times. xox

nonizamboni said...

Glad you liked it. What a lovely post you made in her honor.

Naturegirl said...

Thank you for this review of the movie as I have not seen it but keep meaning to! Next weekend I am ~baching~ it dear hubby away so I shall sit and watch it.
Every mother is familiar with Miss Potter's writing but I did NOT know that she was a ~preservationist~
..a woman ahead of her time! hugs NG

P.S. I did not research the ~bee~ because when posting I was filled with grief due to my recent loss and was in the mood for comfort and
looking at my photos of nature comfort me.That particular bee put a smile on my face...particularly ~the butt.~

Bimbimbie said...

I loved this movie, my favourite character of hers is Mrs Tiggy-Winkle,a hedgehog who does all the laundry for the other woodland animals *!*

Lila Rostenberg said...

oooh! I loved that one too! Scenery and costumes!

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

Excellent post! Bravo for Beatrix Potter!

smilnsigh said...

I've heard such glowing reports of this film. And have yet to see it. -sigh- I'm still on a list for it, with Net Flix and at the library.

Someday, I will join the lucky gals who have loved this film. :-)

Mari-Nanci