Miss Potter Parent Guide

Many families have a collection of wee little books in their house with stories and drawings of such animal celebrities as Peter Rabbit and Squirrel Nutkin. Written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, the author has been a household name for the past century. Now the life of this woman, who seems as reclusive as her little forest characters, is being played out in this wonderfully charming film starring Ren0xE9e Zellweger.

The quiet biography begins in 1902 Victorian London, when the notion of a female engaging in the business of pitching a storybook idea is anything but common. After the older Warne brothers (Anton Lesser and David Bamber), owners of a publishing company known for children’s literature, reluctantly agree to give the thirty-something lady a chance to see her tale of the impertinent rabbit in print, they assign their younger sibling Norman (Ewan McGregor) to the seemingly tedious task of working with Miss Potter.

This dismissive decision proves lucky for Beatrix, because Norman does not suffer from the same cynicism and contempt for working with a woman as his elders. Putting all his energy into the assignment (his first project for the family business), the rookie bookmaker is able to turn the publication into a bestseller. At the same time he manages an even more incredible accomplishment—he infiltrates the heart of the work-obsessed author/artist.

Unfortunately, the budding romance finds little fertile soil in the Potter home. Beatrix’s parents are determined to find their daughter the perfect suitor, and a common tradesman like Norman is hardly the kind of gentleman they are looking for.

These class prejudices, as well as some other difficult conditions, form the backbone of the screenplay. Deftly swinging from humorous to dramatic to heartbreaking, the film never loses touch of its protagonist and her desire to create beautiful stories and—later in her life—preserve the natural world around her.

Only a veiled sexual reference and a comedic moment of tipsiness constitute any content concerns for younger viewers, however parents should understand this is the story of Miss Potter—not “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” While children may appreciate the movie’s inclusion of some clever animation techniques that add a whimsical touch to Potter’s drawings, the plot will most likely appeal to teens and adults who enjoy a tender romance. But most of all, for those who have always admired the artist’s subtle drawings and her somewhat unusual children’s stories, this film offers a fitting tribute to Beatrix and her creatures.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.