Miss Potter

Miss Potter (Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson) – This delightful biopic tells the story of the author Beatrix Potter, who wrote The Tale of Peter Rabbit and numerous other children’s stories.  A young girl blessed with a gift for art and a love for animals grows gradually into a self-confident woman whose love for her animals is surpassed only for her surprise love for her editor/publisher (played to perfection by Ewan McGregor).  While the story is enchanting, it’s also heartbreaking and uplifting.  Set in the first decade of the 20th century in London and in the English countryside, it’s the story of people and families of privilege who love their lives and have some trouble fathoming an independent woman who draws for herself and for children.  The acting is impeccable and understated.  Zellweger seems to have done as many movies in a British accent as an American one and, as she seems to do for her British parts, puts on weight to capture the plain Jane who becomes one of the most successful women in Britain. It’s a stoic, yet rich, performance that feels very British and yet very grand.  If you can’t get to the theater to see this independent film (which was released for the Oscars last year but never got a sniff of a nomination), rent it as soon as you can.