Miss Potter | Film No. 43

I came across this film during a point in my life when I was obsessed with both Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor; so me watching it was inevitable.  I also read all of Beatrix Potter’s books when I was a kid so I knew I would be interested in the story. When I went to rent it, the Blockbuster was going out of business, so I bought the DVD for 50 cents. *feels old*

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Miss Potter is a very serious and sad film, which is based upon the life of writer and artist Beatrix Potter.  It follows her as she falls in love with her publisher only to have him pass away and her newfound independence from her parents that her book sales give her. It is a beautiful story about an independent woman who cast off tradition to pursue her art…  Except it is totally inaccessible.

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One issue that the film never acknowledges is that Potter is EXTREMELY privileged and was only able to be extraordinary because of her advantages in life. The film paints her as a rebel with a cause, however, most women were not living in that level of wealth, let alone with parents who would support a creative daughter. I think it is mainly an issue of perspective, which this film is lacking.  She loses her betrothed, so she BUYS A FARM. And that is how she gets over his death. *Sure, Jan.  That is feasible for the 1900s women*  *Yeah, when I am feeling under the weather, I have to go to Bath to take the waters too….*  *JK, I will just stay in London and die of this cough*

All of my quibbling aside, I do like this film.  It is very pretty.  I alway live for 1900s costuming and the scenes in the age district are absolutely stunning.  Is it perfect? Nah…  But it is precious and fun to watch every now and then and reflect on the female condition throughout history!

This post is part of my year end challenge to watch every movie that I own.  If you want to see the original post with a full list of all of the films.  Click here.