Miss Potter is a story very few of us can turn away from as it is truly a story for everyone to enjoy. It is the true story of Miss Beatrix Potter, the beloved children's author of timeless tales such as "The Tales of Peter Rabbit" and Jemima-Duck. She didn't always used to be an author but she became one the moment the Warne brothers approved her portfolio to be published. Her parents didn't always believe in her artwork and didn't think she could make a career out of what seemed to be just another hobby. Her mother especially found it to be a waste of time and something that a woman in that day and age just should not bother with. Women were supposed to learn to take care of the household and to be married to "acceptable" suitors so that they could take care of their children and their husband. They needed to know how to do everything from cook, clean, fold, wash and even more as they didn't necessarily work outside of the house; that was a role for only their husbands.
Beatrix Potter refused to be just another woman and knew that her artwork would take her somewhere. She was approached by Norman Warne, the younger brother of the Warne brothers, as the editor of her book. He was engrossed and impressed by the sheer beauty of the drawings. He became deeply involved with how each of the stories came about. After the trials of publishing their first book were through, the results began to be seen. People were picking up the books off the shelves regularly and her career seemed promising. Their association seemed to be ceasing until they both suggested that they wanted to expand her stories into an entire series. Working on bigger and better projects, the two found that they had many similarities and eventually fell for each other. At a Christmas party, Norman Warne proposes and Beatrix is amazed but surprised. She seeks the approval of Millie, the very beloved sister of Norman Warne who chooses to remain unmarried. Millie began to become her confidante as they both shared similar likes and dislikes and approved of a woman's role as being outside of the house rather than in. Millie also loved to engage and keep Beatrix laughing, which always made Beatrix enjoy her journeys to the Warnes' household. Norman and Beatrix are engaged after as Millie gives her approval wholeheartedly. Beatrix's parents, however, disapprove and only agree to give their condolences if they keep it a secret for until after the summer, as Beatrix and her family go to the Lakes every year. Sadly, the summer does not spell good news for the happy couple as Norman falls deathly ill and dies shortly after. Beatrix, as she has not told of her good fortune, was not allowed to go to the funeral and mourned in silence, from the comfort of her London home. Shortly after, she hears of her financial stability and decides to buy a comfortable farm property, a property that is a second home to her as she meets her wonderful friend William Heedlis from years past. After they bond over an auction to preserve the beauty of the farmland, it is revealed that they did marry eight years later.
After watching this masterpiece, I found myself thinking about what a great and wonderful surprise this movie was. I picked it up due to the cover being very distinctive and ended up sitting through the journey of the story with a smile on my face and my heart beating to the rhythm of the words and animations. It makes you feel for her situation and sympathize with how she loves her imaginary animals more than anything in the whole world. She sees them playing and sees them being so free that she herself wants desperately. She was so close to freedom with the escape into marriage but instead, she became trapped in her own mourning. She had to have enough courage to move past all that and be strong enough to continue drawing and creating her stories. Her deluxe personality and vibrant colors, as well as her messages to be youthful and imaginative, shine through and make the reader feel like they are personally being touched and invited into the world that she has created. Her stories are to the children a sense of reliving childhood memories and the fondest of adolescent joy. I am definitely very glad that I decided to pick up this movie and I want to share this with all of my readers. Do yourselves a favor and see what a great experience this can be.
Sincerely,
The Omnipresent Publicist
P.S. I have included a link to purchase this DVD on Amazon, in case you are interested.
http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Potter-Ren%C3%A9e-Zellweger/dp/B000N4SHOE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328933699&sr=8-1
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