An exploration of the life of Beatrix Potter, the author of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” the beloved and best-selling children’s classic. The film tells the story of Potter’s (Zellweger) love for her publisher Norman Wayne (McGregor) and her strong attempt for an independent life during a time when society expected woman of her class simply to make a good marriage.
The movie concentrates on only a few years in the life of Potter, who privately published her first book, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” in 1901. It proved so popular that she took it back to a publisher who had originally rejected it; he reconsidered once she agreed to reillustrate it in color. Published in 1902, it was an enormous hit. Once Potter achieves financial independence, the movie dawdles on pleasantly as she buys Hill Top, a farm in the Lake District, in 1905. She later finds romance with a lawyer, William Heelis (Lloyd Owen), whom she would marry in 1913. – NYT
Starring Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor and Emily Watson.
Parents need to know that, while this film focuses on Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter’s career and classic children’s books, it’s really aimed more at adults than kids (and the younger set will probably prefer the books). It deals with some mature themes, including the death of a loved one and disagreements between an adult child and her parents. Beatrix’s mother repeatedly denigrates her desire to paint and tell stories; although her father is more encouraging, parents and child also disagree over Beatrix’s choice for a husband. When a protagonist dies suddenly (off screen, from an illness), survivors show grief. Some characters drink socially, and one drinks to the point of passing out (this is treated as comedy). – Common Sense Media