Miss Potter

MPAA Rating: Not yet rated
Released in Theaters: Dec. 22, 2006

“Once upon a time, there were four little Rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter...”

Of course, this is the charming tale of those gentle bunnies created by Beatrix Potter, the popular British author who lived from 1866 to 1943. We know her as a brilliant writer and illustrator, whose sweet books continue to populate the shelves of families worldwide.

But there’s another side of her that we learn about in this movie. It’s the late 1800s, and Beatrix (Renee Zellweger) is trapped in a society that doesn’t understand her strange ways (wanting to — gasp! — have a career!). After all, her parents, Rupert and Helen Potter, have given her a cushy life of wealth and privilege. What more could a girl want?!

But Beatrix DOES want more. She amuses herself by writing and illustrating stories. Encouraged by her friends, she approaches a publisher named Norman Warne, who’s thrilled with her work. A short time later, her first book is in print and she’s able to break free of her oppressive family, much to their chagrin.

Not only does Beatrix’s writing career blossom, but so does an unexpected romance with Norman. Soon, they’re engaged to be married, but the pairing causes major friction with her parents. Her mom and dad object to the wedding because they’re dismayed that he has to WORK for a living! Quite different from what most parents hope for their daughters today.

This movie is a great biopic and period piece that’s well crafted with great performances by the actors and a storyline that packs an emotional wallop.

And while Miss Potter is about a children’s author, it’s clearly a drama about her daily struggles for independence in a society where women were viewed as inferior. It’s a good lesson about staying true to yourself and your dreams, even when everything is working against you.

After all, what would our childhoods have been without those gentle bunnies?