Pie and the patty pans
Thursday, 18 January, 2007
So last night we went to see Miss Potter courtesy of our free double pass from the SSO. I enjoyed it very much—it was a very girly film (so I think guys will be less than enchanted by “The most enchanting tale of all”). It dealt with themes such as love, singleness, marriage, careers for women at the fin de siècle, submission to parents (as a daughter) and a woman's place in society. Even though Beatrix is in her thirties, it's very much a tale about a woman reaching maturity—realising what she wants to do with her life and seizing the chance to make it happen. By the end of it, she really does have the room of one's own that Virginia Woolf envisaged.
In parts, it reminded me of L.M. Montgomery's The Blue Castle (in some respects, Beatrix Potter is similar to Valancy Stirling). Zwelleger's portrayal of her was often reminiscent of Bridget Jones but without the embarassing clumsiness. I'm not 100% sure she pulled it off convincingly. The repressiveness of the society she lived in was obvious but perhaps could have been done more successfully (like in Persuasion where feminist rule-breaking wasn't so much of a feature). I liked how they animated Potter's drawings, the animation reflecting her inner imaginative life. I liked how Norman Warne encouraged her and was supportive of her (he's quite a contrast to her mother!), even if Ewan McGregor's moustache is absolutely appalling. The blossoming of their friendship was handled very well and you are led to identify with her throughout the film and the challenges she faces.
And I liked the script—it was very good, even if it felt a bit rushed at times. The dialogue was extremely sharp and witty. I particularly loved the exchange between Beatrix and Norman Warne's sister, Millie (played by Emily Watson): “I have decided that you and I are going to be friends.” “Have you.” The tragedy of having unsupportive unsympathetic parents—not as old-world authority figures to rebel against but in terms of highlighting the dysfunctional nature of the Potter family—was rendered very believably. The shape of the plot was quite unusual—I don't think there are many films that did what it did in terms of the highs and the lows but then it is a biopic so to some extent, her life would have dictated the structure of the script.
It was a delightful film. The costumes, set design and scenery around the Lakes District is just gorgeous. Parts of the music were done by Rachel Portman, the composer of Emma (the Gwyneth Paltrow version. She won an Academy Award for that score and I'm still wondering why). Katie Melua sings the main them over the endtitles. I'm still debating whether it's the kind of film I'd watch over and over again but I don't think I'd mind a second look when it comes to DVD.
Blinks
- UK official site
- US official site
- The World of Peter Rabbit
- Miss Potter movie blog
- Hill Top farm—Beatrix Potter's house which was actually used as a location for the film
- Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature—site by biographer Linda Lear
Blinks:
A way of funding writing in the future: pitch and idea and get people to support it.
Place where you can hire play equipment for parties, etc.
How to recalibrate the home button on your iPhone.
Unsolicited manuscripts accepted by Pan Macmillan with certain conditions.
Thought Balloon is a group blog in which the writers tackle a new theme every week? month? with one-page scripts. This URL is for their Phonogram ones.
How to sew a zipper on a knitted garment.
Issues organised by tale.
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Hmmm, that’s the first positive review of Miss Potter that I’ve read!
Perhaps I shall see it after all. One of my housemates wanted to, but I’ve been warning her off it because everything I’ve read has said it’s terrible, or simpering, or boring…
But your praise is well-crafted, and it sounds like there are many elements I would admire…
Thanks Karen!
It was a lovely movie.
I thought Renee Zellweger and Ewan Macgregor did it very well and loved the music.
Thanks for the recommendation.