Miss Potter
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: December 29, 2006
7.1
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 51 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
35
Mixed:
10
Negative:
6
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
SusanH.May 5, 2007
Another masterful portrayal by Zellwegger. A glorious tale of how one woman CAN stand up against the mores of her time and make a difference in the world. Brava! To both Rene and Beatrix.
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7
ChadS.Jun 4, 2007
After a crucial plot point relatively late in "Miss Potter", the narrative starts to slacken, because frankly, other than her depression(which the film gives short shrift to), nothing truly remarkable happens in Beatrix Potter's life After a crucial plot point relatively late in "Miss Potter", the narrative starts to slacken, because frankly, other than her depression(which the film gives short shrift to), nothing truly remarkable happens in Beatrix Potter's life after her initial rush of fame. This film makes the mistake of covering too much time. "Miss Potter" is at its best when the famed writer of "Peter Rabbit" sits at her drafting table, and like a proto-Tori Amos, treats the imaginary realm as if it were an extension of the physical world. Because of the times, much prejudice and ridicule were levelled against any girl who aspired to be more than a wife and mother, especially when her weapon of transcendence was thought to be a man's domain. "Miss Potter" largely doesn't mess up the excitement behind the feminist gambit that a woman can do anything she sets her mind to. If Potter was a murder-mystery writer, life would've imitated art; every character in the film benefits from the catastrophic blow that befalls the writer's personal and professional life. But Potter wrote children's books, and the film deals with her sadness in a very unrigorous manner.… Expand
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10
CharlesE.Jan 7, 2007
My wife and I thought this was one of the most enjoyable films we have seen in years and we see many films. We definitely do not have the same taste so by my definition it was excellent.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
RickyT.Jan 10, 2007
A disturbing, forgettable travesty. Renee and Ewan are both terrible. The plot and intentions of the film are all down the toilet by the end of this mistake.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
TinaF.Jan 10, 2007
Renee has never performed worse and never looked worse. Her ugly performance all-arround plummets this flop to the depths of obscurity. A terrible, monumentally disasterous film.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
BobbyTimothyJan 10, 2007
Endearing without being especially engaging. Maybe Miss Potter will be best appreciated on video when you will intuitively know when to turn it off. On the other hand, Potter's pastel illustrations, which often come to life to her and Endearing without being especially engaging. Maybe Miss Potter will be best appreciated on video when you will intuitively know when to turn it off. On the other hand, Potter's pastel illustrations, which often come to life to her and to the camera's eye, deserve the antolarger canvas. Tough call. At 92 minutes, the film has the economy of a Potter story, but not the shapeliness or the zip. A scenic, well-behaved account of Potter's life and times. Undeniably disappointing yet impressive at times as a overdone dull biopic.… Expand
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0
MollyC.Jan 10, 2007
Dreadful and forgettable. One of the worst films of all time. I hated it with a passion.
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10
RichardJ.Feb 3, 2007
I saw this with my wife, expecting the worst-having read most of the reviews. However I was very pleasantly surprised. A change from all the usual riubbish Iv'e seen lately. It worked on many levels (obviously lost on most of the I saw this with my wife, expecting the worst-having read most of the reviews. However I was very pleasantly surprised. A change from all the usual riubbish Iv'e seen lately. It worked on many levels (obviously lost on most of the reviewers it seems-how can they say she had a boring unevenful life, she became the biggest selling childrens author on the planet, brought 1000's of acres of gorgeous countryside for the nation, and before she could announce her engagenent to her publisher, he tragically dies on an imposed seperation of a holiday???) It was a tragic love story, a story about how women in the 1900's were suppose to just marry and bring up children in loveless marriages, about social barrires, class and pretension. BUT for me it was the story about how she virtually single handedly saved the Lake District from development and its thanks to Beatrix Potter this area remains as proably the most beutiful area anywhere in the World. A work of art.… Expand
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7
MarkB.Mar 22, 2007
It's hard to believe that all those itty-bitty (and, to their detractors, somewhat twee) little books about rabbits, ducks and frogs were such huge best sellers even a century ago, but their creator, writer and illustrator Beatrix It's hard to believe that all those itty-bitty (and, to their detractors, somewhat twee) little books about rabbits, ducks and frogs were such huge best sellers even a century ago, but their creator, writer and illustrator Beatrix Potter was, at least from a bestseller/ financial point of view, the Dr. Seuss, Walt Disney and maybe even Steven Spielberg of 1902. A movie based on her life would expectedly at least try to approach the question of why, if she was considered such a liberated woman in her day, her children's stories were frequently so conservative: in her most famous one, Peter Rabbit, the protagonist is punished for pursuing his sense of adventure by enduring a traumatically scary experience, getting sick and missing out on supper! It would also reasonably cover the fact that Potter also made some strides as a biologist, but Miss Potter does neither. Naysayers could make a valid case that the film is content to coast on its surface charms, but sometimes the best way to appreciate a movie is to savor it for what it is rather than what we'd like it to be, and anyway Miss Potter has a LOT of surface charms to coast on. Chief among them is the typically luminous title performance by Renee Zellweger, who's one of the most utterly lovable of current actresses and one who has no equal in interpreting somewhat socially awkward women trying to make a place for themselves in the world, as Jerry Maguire, Nurse Betty, the Bridget Jones movies, her Oscar-winning mountain-girl turn in Cold Mountain and even her change-of-pace role as Chicago's ruthlessly opportunistic social climber Roxie Hart all bear out. (By the way, why has there been so much buyer's remorse toward Zellweger lately? It seems like anytime a young or youngish American actress wins an Academy Award--like Marisa Tomei, Mira Sorvino and Helen Hunt--everybody suddenly turns on her. Zellweger is the most recent example; so much backlash has been piled on her since taking home the gold you'd think she'd changed her name to Paul Haggis!) Ewan Macgregor and Emily Watson , as a business associate whose relationship with Potter starts to go beyond business and his sister, give Zellweger fine support, Andrew Dunn's autumnal cinematography perfectly illuminates and parallels Potter's exquisite watercolor work, and the animated sequences in which Potter's four-legged creations come to life are so charming and beguiling that I wish that director Chris Noonan hadn't been so sparing with them. Noonan is the craftsman who brought us the original Babe, that enchanting pig tale that for many moviegoers (count me in) was nothing less than the best live-action G-rated movie of the past two decades. Predictably, Miss Potter can't and doesn't come close to equalling it, but it's no sophomore slump: Noonan brings to both movies a quality you almost never see anymore, didn't see all that often even in the old days, and one that should always be applauded and encouraged whenever it appears: a genuine sense of wonder.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
PaulF.Jun 29, 2007
I give Miss Potter two cotton tails up, way up and dipped like brushes in your favorite vibrant water colors. I can see why some might not like this type of movie. It is not about action, special effects (though the animation was quaintly I give Miss Potter two cotton tails up, way up and dipped like brushes in your favorite vibrant water colors. I can see why some might not like this type of movie. It is not about action, special effects (though the animation was quaintly pleasant), nor not even necessarily about love, which seemingly was marketed as such. I will say however that the love between Norman and Beatrix was quite touching. I was totally convinced that these two were totally meant to be together. As much as I or other audience members might want this to be about true love found, Miss Potter ultimately was about something else entirely different, or at least had a whole other major aspect to it. It seemed as if the movie at one point completely shifts becoming a different story all together. I found this quite unexpected. Before I go into the details of this shift I want to mention the way this society was portrayed, especially the courtship of Norman and Beatrix which really made me long to live in that era. His manner was so polite, respectful, and genuine. And Beatrix though a strong willed lady and somewhat a feminist for her time remained a lady of virtue as well as heart felt emotion. I was touch at heart to see such a beautiful interaction, even if a fictional account on film. I was reminded how my life and society in general has lost much of this innocence that a more simple time and social boundaries can bring. Beatrix and Norman did not rush things, or almost even know what was happening within them until it just naturally sort of evolved. There interplay was so unencumbered analogous to a seamless dance, which in the movie culminated in the climax of the movie when they actually did dance. There is a lesson to be learned from this Taoist like way of living. [***WARNING MAJOR SPOILER***] Don… Expand
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6
KeithAug 3, 2007
Pleasant and unremarkable. Zellweger shows great pluck, and Emily Watson blows wonderful, fresh air into the movie during her too few scenes. For the most part, the movie doesn't make any real attempt to dig very deep into the person of Pleasant and unremarkable. Zellweger shows great pluck, and Emily Watson blows wonderful, fresh air into the movie during her too few scenes. For the most part, the movie doesn't make any real attempt to dig very deep into the person of Potter. I would have probably given the movie a 7, but I found the animation sequences too cornball even for a movie about a woman who drew bunnies and ducks. A good movie for those that like their biopics entirely not offensive or insightful, but there are no egregious missteps, other than a lack of any real character excavation.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
KatherineAug 5, 2007
Ok. Renée Zellweger killed the movie for me. Why did they have to get her, a terrible ugly actress, to fake a British accent? Why couldn't they have gotten a good British actress to play a british author? I love Beatrix Ok. Renée Zellweger killed the movie for me. Why did they have to get her, a terrible ugly actress, to fake a British accent? Why couldn't they have gotten a good British actress to play a british author? I love Beatrix Potter's work, and Renée Zellweger is just making her look horrible.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
TroyMartinaJan 10, 2007
The twee romance was too much for me, though the movie's first half follows in fascinating detail the innovations Warne introduced to popularize illustrated picture books for children. Zellweger is certainly likable as Beatrix, but as The twee romance was too much for me, though the movie's first half follows in fascinating detail the innovations Warne introduced to popularize illustrated picture books for children. Zellweger is certainly likable as Beatrix, but as an upper-class English lady of a century ago, she enunciates her words as if sucking a lemon -- you almost start to wonder if you've stumbled into a satire of "Masterpiece Theatre. Zellweger dusts off her Bridget Jones accent - and a constellation of annoying vocal and facial tics - for Miss Potter, an unrelentingly mediocre, TV-movieish biopic of beloved children's author Beatrix Potter.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
DaveD.Jan 10, 2007
"Potter" periodically brings Potter's charming drawings to life in elegantly animated sequences that are as delightful and lyrical as the rest of the film is stilted and clumsy. Miss Potter huffs and puffs but fails to work up much "Potter" periodically brings Potter's charming drawings to life in elegantly animated sequences that are as delightful and lyrical as the rest of the film is stilted and clumsy. Miss Potter huffs and puffs but fails to work up much dramatic steam. This attractive, superficial stab at biography, with Renée Zellweger in the title role, is more concerned with a lonely woman's quest for acceptance and love than with an author's worldly achievements. This much sweetness and light in a movie is all very well. But there's a reason that recipes for cake and cookies call for a pinch of salt. In Miss Potter, there is only a grain or two -- not enough to dilute the sugary overload. The film is the cinematic equivalent of a delicate English tea cake whose substance is buried under too many layers of icing. Very disapointing performance and very dull movie.… Expand
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9
BillL.Jan 12, 2007
A very good picture with good atmosphere and enlightenment. I suspect that those who like pictures full of male action and explosions will find it too old-fashioned, but then I think those kind of pictures are trite and overdone over and over.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
GraceB.Dec 5, 2007
I enjoyed Miss Potter on the whole. it was nice to see an optimistic point of view in the face of adversity. it's one of those feel good movies that you won't forget about the second it's over. I'd recommend seeing it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
PhilP.Jan 6, 2007
I personally feel this film was outstanding. I was encaptured in this film right from the start and so were the rest of the audience at the cinema. Renee Zellwegger plays Beatrix Potter brilliantly and modernizes the up and coming rise of I personally feel this film was outstanding. I was encaptured in this film right from the start and so were the rest of the audience at the cinema. Renee Zellwegger plays Beatrix Potter brilliantly and modernizes the up and coming rise of the author in a more upto date style suited for all ages.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
DavidJ.Jan 7, 2007
A thoroughly wholesome film with faultless attention to period costumes and effects; beautifully photographed. Another Zellwegger triumph in a foreign accent!. Possibly a thin story of a fairly ordinary Victorian life but as it ends in a A thoroughly wholesome film with faultless attention to period costumes and effects; beautifully photographed. Another Zellwegger triumph in a foreign accent!. Possibly a thin story of a fairly ordinary Victorian life but as it ends in a mega-million souvenir industry it must be worth recording for posterity.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
PhyllisGlazermanJan 8, 2007
A few very positive things -- Zellweger's acting was great and she was a joy to watch on the screen. The scenery and music were gorgeous. I also loved her way of dealing with all the powerful figures that were at the outset in control A few very positive things -- Zellweger's acting was great and she was a joy to watch on the screen. The scenery and music were gorgeous. I also loved her way of dealing with all the powerful figures that were at the outset in control of her life. From shyness and acquiessence to boldness and assertivess, and all without the benefit of role models. She managed to work major changes on the society she lived in and she did it her way. Why are men reviewing this movie? I felt everything she was feeling all the way along.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
RobertI.Jul 14, 2007
Entertaining in the Hollywood manner, in which lake vistas all hold poignant meaning, crescent townhouses hide pretentious, overbearing mothers, and young girls never dream of happiness as self-reliant individuals. Somehow sugar has been Entertaining in the Hollywood manner, in which lake vistas all hold poignant meaning, crescent townhouses hide pretentious, overbearing mothers, and young girls never dream of happiness as self-reliant individuals. Somehow sugar has been substituted for the pinch of salt that underpins all Beatrix Potter's real work.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
EvelynD.Aug 23, 2007
This was a nice little movie, but nothing about it made it stand out. It was average.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JoyceT.Jan 28, 2007
I smiled from first to last. It showed the character's inventive quirky imagination and the miserable limitations she felt in Victorian England. Those pressures weighed her down so much that she denied herself normal human pleasure. A I smiled from first to last. It showed the character's inventive quirky imagination and the miserable limitations she felt in Victorian England. Those pressures weighed her down so much that she denied herself normal human pleasure. A few more glimpses of passion would have been appreciated though.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
KimSt.DennisMar 27, 2007
This is a wonderful film. If you like British films, you will love this one.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
TomHMay 15, 2007
I thought it was very good, renee played the role to excellence in my book. it was as much a story about finally finding the right person and all that goes with that as standing on one's own feet and making a difference in her world. I thought it was very good, renee played the role to excellence in my book. it was as much a story about finally finding the right person and all that goes with that as standing on one's own feet and making a difference in her world. Ewan and Emily I also thought were very good. I'm a big Renee Z. fan and thought she portrayed beatrix with great care.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
MarkK.Sep 23, 2007
A nice, quiet film. Very British and a delight. I don't know why it was rated PG -- it could have been G. (It is kid-safe.) Enjoyable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
PhyllisL.Jun 18, 2008
This was a very delightful movie!!! Very refreshing after the usual horrific, violent,blood & guts movies Hollywood likes to put out. It was interesting and entertaining as well as educational!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
gentely66Dec 22, 2011
Hello, The fast and convenient online store offering your favorite right here in the USA. We invite you to browse through our store where you can find a wide range of British food favorites including English teas, Cadbury chocolate, McvitiesHello, The fast and convenient online store offering your favorite right here in the USA. We invite you to browse through our store where you can find a wide range of British food favorites including English teas, Cadbury chocolate, Mcvities and Heinz to name a few. Order today, we offer the cheapest British food prices online and guarantee a fast and friendly service.… Expand
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8
DawdlingPoetNov 22, 2021
This is quite a slow paced film. I think the first term to come to mind as far as describing this film is concerned, is 'idyllic', that is as far as the setting, lighting and use of light and airy orchestral pieces (i.e. the musical score).This is quite a slow paced film. I think the first term to come to mind as far as describing this film is concerned, is 'idyllic', that is as far as the setting, lighting and use of light and airy orchestral pieces (i.e. the musical score). Lighting wise, its quite soft and almost dream-like.

Some scenes are depicted as flashbacks but not all of them, of course. There are some special effects in as much as CGI (well, I presume it to be done via CGI) used to literally bring the authors' books illustrations to life. Beatrix's strong emotional attachment to her literary characters, Peter Rabbit et al, is clearly portrayed, with her shown to speak out loud, as if in conversation, to them on paper. She seems somewhat airy but very creative person, someone with a big imagination, which reminded me of myself, certainly in my childhood years, when I was forever day-dreaming.

Its clearly quite a sentimental film, some may say needlessly so, although I personally think it required at least an element of it but I can concede that it perhaps was a bit over the top with the sticky, sugary sweet sentimentality in parts. However, in its favour, this film doesn't entirely shy away from the issues Beatrix faced, the challenges she faced, which are mostly to do with culture and/or society.

I liked that one of the main themes of this film was (or seemed to me) female independence, that and peer pressure and I suppose family ties as well. Genre wise, this is a family drama, although rather slow paced and not full of action as such - perhaps the biographic genre or category may be more appropriate, compared to drama but I honestly couldn't say for certain how true to real life this depiction of the authors life is.

I remember reading Potter's books, as a child (I was given a set of her books which took up a fair bit of space on a book shelf way back when) so perhaps there could be argued to be a slight bias maybe in me being curious about the authors life prior to watching this but then, quite frankly, if you had no interest or curiosity in her then why would you choose to watch it?.

Of course Renee Zellweger plays the main character, Beatrix - if your not keen on Renee's usual acting style then this film isn't one for you, as she bats her eyelashes, blushes and plays Beatrix as quite a dainty while also somewhat determined lady. I felt that Norman Warne's sister, Millie, was an interesting character, although one that wasn't especially developed during the film. She did seem more able to relate to and empathise with Beatrix and seemed like a good person but I felt that not much was known about her. She seems quite stoical but also friendly in a way. She was well portrayed by Emily Watson. Other cast members include Ewan McGregor, who plays Beatrix's love interest and is her publishing agent (or certainly works for the firm of publishers she signs to) Norman Warne - he being one of a rare few that truly seem to 'get' her artistic and literary talent and vision.

The film is set partly in Cumbria (The Lake Distrcit), in which she purchased a rural property. There are some gorgeous landscape shots shown, although I find it a bit hard to believe that such rural life would have been as idyllic as it appears.

The film is under an hour and a half long, so its slightly short by todays standards but that suited me fine as it meant that it didn't go on incessantly and I didn't lose interest.

I can't help but feel like this film somehow simplifies a more complicated story, the story of Beatrix's life but at the same time, I felt it was fairly engrossing and quite an enjoyable watch in general. It is a bit sickly sweet and won't appeal to all, especially if you don't like Americans portraying Brits but otherwise its certainly ok.

Would I recommend it? - I quite enjoyed it but I concede that it is very sentimental, perhaps a bit excessively so and Rene Zellweger is a bit of a love/hate actress, if you know what I mean. Personally I enjoyed it but I realise that for others, they may not think so much of it. Hopefully you can judge for yourself whether this is for you or not.… Expand
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