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Miss Potter

2015-09-27

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'''''[[File:Miss_potter_ver2.jpg|thumb]]Miss Potter''''' is a 2006 English-American [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biographical_fiction biographical fiction] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family family] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drama_film drama film] directed by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Noonan Chris Noonan]. It is a biographical film of children's author and illustrator [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_Potter Beatrix Potter], and combines stories from her own life with animated sequences featuring characters from her stories, such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Rabbit Peter Rabbit]. Scripted by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Maltby,_Jr. Richard Maltby, Jr.], the director of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_award Tony-winning] Broadway revue, ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fosse Fosse]'', the film stars [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9e_Zellweger Renée Zellweger] in the title role; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewan_McGregor Ewan McGregor] as her publisher and fiancé, Norman Warne; and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lloyd_Owen Lloyd Owen] as solicitor William Heelis. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Watson Emily Watson] stars as Warne's sister, Millie. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Boynton Lucy Boynton] also stars as the young Beatrix Potter. It was filmed in St. Peter's Square Hammersmith, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Court Cecil Court], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osterley_Park Osterley Park], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covent_Garden Covent Garden], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Man Isle of Man], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland Scotland] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_District Lake District]. ''Miss Potter'' was released on 29 December 2006 so that the film could compete for the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/79th_Academy_Awards 2007 Academy Awards]. The film was intended to be released generally on 12 January 2007, but [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variety_magazine Variety.com] reported that the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weinstein_Company Weinstein Company] had decided to push a wider release date until after the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Awards Academy Awards] on 25 February 2007.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-3 [3]] The date seemed to fluctuate a number of times, but the Weinstein Company website ultimately listed its release date as 9 March. The film received generally positive reviews[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-4 [4]] and earned Zellweger her sixth [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Globe Golden Globe] nomination.





==Contents==

 [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter# hide]] *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#Plot 1 Plot]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#Cast 2 Cast]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#Production 3 Production]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#Reception 4 Reception]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#Songs 5 Songs]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#Historical_inaccuracies 6 Historical inaccuracies]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#References 7 References]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#External_links 8 External links]





==Plot[[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miss_Potter&action=edit&section=1 edit]]==

The story begins with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_Potter Beatrix Potter] nervously packing her portfolio and narrating that she is a London [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinster spinster], and that her ambition to become a children's author meets with wide disapproval. She and her chaperone, Miss Wiggin, visit the publishing house of the Warne brothers and they decide to publish her book. Beatrix is thrilled and returns home, taking a drive through the parks to celebrate first. However it is revealed that the Warne brothers think her book is ridiculous and will no doubt be a failure. The only reason they agreed to publish her story is because they promised their youngest brother, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Warne Norman], a project.

When Norman Warne arrives, Beatrix makes decisions about her finished book, regarding size, colour and price. Norman admits he has never done anything like this before but has given her book a great deal of thought. Beatrix realises what the Warne brothers have done regarding her and Norman but they become determined to prove them wrong. Norman takes Beatrix to the printer, and she has her drawings reproduced and copies of her book sold. Thrilled, Beatrix and Norman visit the Warne family, where Beatrix meets the wheelchair-bound but lovely Mrs. Warne, and Norman's sister, Amelia, nicknamed "Millie". Millie has decided that she and Beatrix are going to be friends and is overjoyed that Beatrix is a spinster, as is Millie, who believes men to be nothing but bores. The family befriends Beatrix, yet Helen Potter, Beatrix's social-climbing mother, is unhappy about her daughter spending time in the company of tradesmen.

When she returns home, Beatrix and Helen bicker about Beatrix's stubborn decision not to marry. Beatrix reminds her mother of the book she wrote, and her mother retorts she believes the venture will fail. However, the book sales are very successful and copies are displayed in many store windows. Even Beatrix's father, Rupert, buys a copy along with friends at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reform_Club Reform Club]. Encouraged by this success and her father's support, Beatrix invites Norman and Millie to her family's Christmas party, despite her mother's misgivings. At the party everyone enjoys themselves and Beatrix shows Norman a story she is writing especially for him, "The Rabbits' Christmas Party". She shows him a drawing from the story and shows him her studio where she writes and draws. Miss Wiggin falls asleep from too much brandy (a generous portion of which had been added to her coffee cup by Norman), and Norman plucks up the courage to propose to Beatrix. Mrs. Potter interrupts before Beatrix can reply, and they join the other guests in the drawing room. Beatrix confides in Millie about Norman proposing, and Millie encourages her to say yes. Beatrix then tells the guests of the stories she writes and they are delighted and amused. Mrs. Potter, however, can not see what all the fuss is about. As the guests leave, Beatrix whispers her agreement to marry Norman, who is overjoyed.

Norman visits Rupert Potter at his club to ask his consent, and is dismissed within minutes. At the Potter household, Beatrix and her parents argue about her decision to marry Norman. Beatrix is adamant and will not be dissuaded. Mrs. Potter tells her no Potter can marry into trade, but Beatrix reminds her that her grandfathers were both tradesmen. When Mrs. Potter threatens to cut her daughter off, Beatrix reminds them of her brother, Bertram, who married a wine merchant's daughter and was not disowned. She states she can survive on her own with her novels. Mr. Potter attempts to reason with his daughter, but she tells him she wants to be loved and not simply marry someone because he can provide for her.

Beatrix inquires with the bank about her royalty earnings, wondering if she would perhaps someday be able to buy a house in the country. She is amazed and delighted to learn that her book sales have made her wealthy enough to buy several estates and a house in town if she wishes.

When she returns home her parents offer a proposition: that Beatrix keep her engagement to Norman a secret and vacation with them in the Lake District for the summer. If she still wishes to marry him at the end of the summer, they agree that they will not object to the marriage. Beatrix agrees to the proposition and is quite convinced that she will not change her mind, telling her parents to prepare for an October wedding.

Norman and Beatrix kiss each other goodbye at the train station and write many letters during their time apart, until one day a letter arrives from his sister Millie, informing her that Norman is ill. Beatrix travels back to London only to find that Norman has died. Overcome with grief, Beatrix shuts herself up in her room. She turns to her drawing, but discovers that her characters disappear off the page. Millie comes to visit and comfort her, and Beatrix decides she must leave the house.

Beatrix buys a farm in the country in the Lake District and moves there to resume her work. She hires a farmhand to run the farm and finds comfort in her surroundings. With the help of her solicitor, William Heelis, she outbids developers at auctions and buys many other farms and land in the area to preserve nature. Eight years after moving to the Lake District she marries William. The land eventually forms part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_District_National_Park Lake District National Park] in northwestern England.

==Cast[[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miss_Potter&action=edit&section=2 edit]]==

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9e_Zellweger Renée Zellweger] as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_Potter Beatrix Potter]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewan_McGregor Ewan McGregor] as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Warne Norman Warne]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Watson Emily Watson] as Millie Warne

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Flynn Barbara Flynn] as Helen Potter

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Paterson_(actor) Bill Paterson] as Rupert Potter

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matyelok_Gibbs&action=edit&redlink=1 Matyelok Gibbs] as Miss Wiggin

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lloyd_Owen Lloyd Owen] as William Heelis

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Lesser Anton Lesser] as Harold Warne

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bamber David Bamber] as Fruing Warne

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllida_Law Phyllida Law] as Mrs. Warne

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patricia_Kerrigan&action=edit&redlink=1 Patricia Kerrigan] as Fiona

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Boynton Lucy Boynton] as Young Beatrix

*Oliver Jenkins as Young Bertram

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_McDonald Justin McDonald] as Young Heelis

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Barker Judith Barker] as Hilda

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jennifer_Castle_(actress)&action=edit&redlink=1 Jennifer Castle] as Jane

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Middleton_(actor)&action=edit&redlink=1 Chris Middleton] as Saunders (as Christopher Middleton)

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Farleigh Lynn Farleigh] as Lady Sybil

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Woodvine John Woodvine] as Sir Nigel

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_How Jane How] as Lady Armitage

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Beevers Geoffrey Beevers] as Mr. Copperthwaite

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bridget_McConnell&action=edit&redlink=1 Bridget McConnell] as Lady Stokely (as Bridget McConnel)

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joseph_Grieves&action=edit&redlink=1 Joseph Grieves] as Lionel Stokely

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Clifford Clare Clifford] as Mrs. Haddon-Bell

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andy_McSorley&action=edit&redlink=1 Andy McSorley] as Harry Haddon-Bell

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sarah_Crowden&action=edit&redlink=1 Sarah Crowden] as Lady Clifford

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Mulholland&action=edit&redlink=1 Richard Mulholland] as Ashton Clifford

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marc_Finn&action=edit&redlink=1 Marc Finn] as Mr. Cannon

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nicholas_Hutchison&action=edit&redlink=1 Nicholas Hutchison] as Meeting Chairman

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Burnside&action=edit&redlink=1 Mike Burnside] as Man at Meeting

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dominic_Kemp&action=edit&redlink=1 Dominic Kemp] as Auctioneer

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Barry_McCormick_(actor)&action=edit&redlink=1 Barry McCormick] as Bidder

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Avril_Clark&action=edit&redlink=1 Avril Clark] as Well Dressed Woman in Bookshop (uncredited)

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pam_Rose_(actress)&action=edit&redlink=1 Pam Rose] as Lady (uncredited)

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andrew_Sloey&action=edit&redlink=1 Andrew Sloey] as Young Farmer (uncredited)

==Production[[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miss_Potter&action=edit&section=3 edit]]==

The film was director Chris Noonan's first in 10 years (since he made [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babe_(film) ''Babe'']), having waited for many years until he finally found a script that inspired him. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cate_Blanchett Cate Blanchett], who originally suggested Noonan for the role of director, was at one point set to star in the film but apologetically left the project when one of her other films was green-lighted before this one.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-5 [5]] Zellweger ended up becoming an executive producer on the film because she was dis-satisfied with the script and wanted to get more involved.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-Passafuime2-6 [6]] The film was first brought to Ewan McGregor's attention by Zellweger, who had kept in contact with him after collaborating on ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_with_Love Down with Love].''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-Passafuime-7 [7]] McGregor described the film as having a somewhat similar appeal as that film, and noted that he was familiar with Beatrix Potter's illustrations and stories, which he said he reads to his children.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-Passafuime-7 [7]] To prepare for the role, McGregor studied photographs of Norman Warne and visited the modern-day Warne publishing house.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-8 [8]] Zellweger read actual letters between Beatrix Potter and Norman Warne and Millie to prepare for the role, but had difficulty with the accent, which she said was very different from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Jones Bridget Jones]'.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-9 [9]] As there were no records of Beatrix Potter's speaking voice, they had to guess; ultimately the voice was softened so as not to irritate contemporary audiences with the tight, high voice a woman of Beatrix Potter's standing at that time may have had.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-10 [10]] Zellweger said that she had read a few of Beatrix Potter's stories growing up, but that she had never known anything about the woman herself.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-Balfour-11 [11]]Noonan said that when growing up he had never read Beatrix Potter's stories, and that, "I was aware of her because of all that crockery with her characters on it."[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-Balfour-11 [11]] The film used animated versions of Beatrix Potter's characters and illustrations, which were composited into the live-action shots. According to Chris Knott (who had previously worked on''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Framed_Roger_Rabbit Who Framed Roger Rabbit]''), [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VFX VFX] supervisor on the film for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_Pictures Passion Pictures], they were given access to collections of Potter's original work to help them recreate it for the animations.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-12 [12]] Noonan said that it was hard to find anyone who still did [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cel_animation cel animation], but did end up finding such a person in Alyson Hamilton, who already had a great deal of appreciation for Potter's work.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-13 [13]] Costumes for the film were designed by Academy Award winner [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Powell_(designer) Anthony Powell]. The score for the film was composed by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Westlake Nigel Westlake] (who had previously worked with Noonan on ''Babe'') although [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Portman Rachel Portman] was brought in to record some of the music for the Lake District scenes. Westlake was asked by Noonan during filming to come up with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltz waltz]-like tune for some of their lyrics, and, with the collaboration of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Batt Mike Batt] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Melua Katie Melua], this same song was also turned into a pop song used in the end credits of the film.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-14 [14]]

==Reception[[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miss_Potter&action=edit&section=4 edit]]==

The film received positive reviews. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes ranks the film with a 66% rating, based on 126 reviews. The critics' consensus is that it is a "charming biopic with that maintains its sweetness even in sadder moments."[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter#cite_note-15 [15]]

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