I have always liked Renee Zellweger, but never could watch her trying to be plum and unsophisticated in her role as Bridget Jones in the Bridget Jones' diary series. Found out that she played Miss Potter, I was hoping to see the real sophisticated actress finally.
The movie was quite enchanting, with beautiful sceneries from the countrysides of England, all the cute animated pictures, the wonderful costumes of the old England at the late 19th centery (from the rich to the middle class), etc.
Playing the role of Beatrix Potter, (the famous female author of the children book series, with the tales of Peter Rabbit and his friends), Renee Zellweger showed the charm and determination of a young lady in a strict society, in which women were expected to wed and settle down as a minor figure in the family. She was determined to be an author instead, supporting herself independently.
Romance did come to her, only to be cut short by fate. This, the movie managed to show in a very touching manner. She found love again later in life, with an old childhood friend. (The director did manage to prepare the viewers of these events by gently introducing at the beginning of the movie her childhood friend and her high esteem for him).
The only thing that bothered me, was, the then single Miss Potter played by Renee Zellweger seemed to be a bit aggressive, short/rude to her parents now and then, even before the event of her fiance's passed away. (Miss Potter's parents had tried their best to stop her from marrying down, to her publisher Norman Warne. They did not know that he would die suddenly latter because of some sudden sicknesses).
I admired Beatrix Potter for her daring move at the end of the movie: she tried buying as much of lands in the Lake District as she could, to preserve the beauty of the area as well as to prevent these farmlands from being destroyed.
It made me sad however, that such a charming, intelligent and talented lady, who loved writing books and painting beautiful pictures for children so much, ended up passed away being childless.
It took me a few days to really recover from this sad thought! I kept thinking of Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, etc), the Bronte sisters (Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights).... They all left behind beautiful pieces of lituratures, but were they really happy when they were alive?
(Sigh!)
(by the way, Renee Zellweger as Miss Potter, still looked very plum and not youthful at all! Can't wait for some movie director to cast her in a role of a beautiful, slim, youthful and determined (female?)... )
