Miss Potter

Miss Potter is as pleasant a surprise as anything released in the last few weeks. Despite being sandwiched between the most cutthroat flood of last minute Oscar contenders in history, this is a little gem of a film that should find an audience in the next few weeks or perhaps on DVD. It’s plagued by a minor case of adorableness, but, for the most part, it’s an authentically charming and joyous piece of simple storytelling. Something like a cross between Finding Neverland and Bridget Jones’ Diary, Miss Potter finds Renée Zellweger in one of her better roles of late, playing Beatrix Potter, the reclusive spinster author of beloved children’s books such as 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit.' Viewed by society and her own family as a rebellious and untraditional failure, Potter nevertheless carries on with her life as she intends it. She chooses to remain unmarried and sets about pursuing a career as a writer and artist at a time when such a thing was considered an unsavory course of action for a woman of wealth and high social class.

Beatrix is lonely but ambitious and eventually both of those needs become sated by Mr. Norman Warne, (Ewan McGregor) a tradesmen looking to publish her book and one day take her hand in marriage. Spoiling the obstacles and detours that get in the way of both these goals wouldn’t be much fun at all, but needless to say, this is one of the most enjoyably sweet movies I’ve seen in some time.

Thankfully, Miss Potter has enough dignity and weight to elude the tragedy of cutesy trifle cinema. This is lightweight and lovely, but rightfully hardened by some tragic circumstances and a sense of cynicism that the society has toward these idealistic characters. The joy is in savoring the wild fun of its sweet hearted protagonists as they fly willingly in the face of good manors. Zellweger has a habit of being awkwardly aggressive in her attempts to be adorable, but she musters the best of her charm for this role and delivers something odd and special. Also worthy of praise is the ever talented Emily Watson as Mr. Warne’s unmarried sister, Millie, who eagerly proclaims upon first meeting Beatrix “I’ve decided that we’re going to be great friends” and never ceases to burst with a refreshing enthusiasm. McGregor has had far more complex and exciting work in his past, but it’s nice to see him take on a pleasant project sans CGI. He seems to relish the chance to be awkward and embarrassed and makes the most of a meager role.

This isn’t exactly revolutionary filmmaking, but so many films claiming to be sweet come off tasting sour that it’s a treat to see one that actually works. It’s a biopic at heart, but it takes on its own life and creativity, shaping enchanting characters and clever stories that define the spirit and whimsy of Miss Potter in her life and in her books. A free spirited gleefulness flows throughout the picture no matter how dire the circumstances. It breezes by in a whirlwind of beauty, humor, and absolute joy.

Grade: B+