A HOPPING CUTE `MISS POTTER'.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic It's hard to resist the unforced charms of Chris Noonan's ``Miss Potter,'' even though you realize about halfway through that it'd be a better movie if the two main actresses had switched parts. ``Miss Potter'' is, of course, Beatrix Potter, the creator of such beloved children's book characters as Peter Rabbit Peter Rabbit always ransacking farmer MacGregor’s patch. [Children’s Lit.: The Tale of Peter Rabbit] See : Mischievousness , Benjamin Bunny and Jemima Puddle-Duck. You've likely read the books at some time in your life - it's hard to go through childhood or parenthood without at least a couple of titles landing in your library - but probably don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. much about the woman behind them. The film, written by ``Miss Saigon'' lyricist lyr·i·cist n. A writer of song lyrics. Also called lyrist. Noun 1. lyricist - a person who writes the words for songs lyrist Richard Maltby Jr., deftly understands that beyond the charming illustrations, Potter's books had a weird, almost warped humor. Where did this come from? When we first see Miss Potter (Renee Zellweger), she's holed up in her parents' Kensington mansion, talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to her ``friends'' - the bunnies and critters she drew - who seem to be the only pals this lonely Londoner has. Potter shops her Peter Rabbit book, trying to find a publisher. When she succeeds, she hits the jackpot, finding both a champion for her work and the love of her life. The warm, respectful relationship between Potter and her publisher, Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor), forms the crux of the movie. They get my vote for the year's cutest couple. Zellweger's playfulness works well opposite the winning McGregor, and I suppose for some people, she's the first person you'd call when you need a plucky pluck·y adj. pluck·i·er, pluck·i·est Having or showing courage and spirit in trying circumstances. See Synonyms at brave. pluck heroine. Not me. Her affected old-timey Englishness can be grating, and when you see her opposite Emily Watson (playing Norman's sister), you daydream about what Watson would have done with the part. She's livelier, less mannered, a better actress and - yes - actually English. But Watson isn't a box-office draw, so Zellweger does what she does and you either go with her coy, scrunchy-faced mannerisms or you don't. In the end, she's fine because the movie's Miss Potter, as conceived by Maltby and Noonan, is every bit as lovable as her ``friends.'' Glenn Whipp, (818) 713-3672 glenn.whipp@dailynews.com MISS POTTER - Three stars (PG: brief mild language) Starring: Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson. Director: Chris Noonan. Running time:1 hr. 32 min. Playing: Landmark's NuWilshire in Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. ; Laemmle's Sunset 5 in West Hollywood West Hollywood A community of southern California northeast of Beverly Hills. It is mainly residential. Population: 36,600. . In a nutshell: Peter Rabbit's creator gets a charming biopic bi·o·pic n. A film or television biography, often with fictionalized episodes. biopic Noun Informal a film based on the life of a famous person [bio(graphical) + pic(ture)] - even if the wrong actress was cast as the lead. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Children's book illustrator Beatrix Potter (Renee Zellweger) finds a trusted publisher -- and love -- in Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor) in the charming ``Miss Potter.'' |
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