Eventually, Norman proposes, but because Beatrix’s wealthy family looks down on working men, or tradesmen, they disallow the marriage.  Finally, they give a conditional consent, saying that their full approval will come only if Beatrix first spends a summer away from Norman—at their beach house.  But during that summer, some unthinkable things happen that are certain to change the course of Miss Potter’s life forever.  Torn between duty, love, the honoring of parents, and the pursuit of a dream, Beatrix must determine whether a woman can, indeed, have it all—or whether one dream must be sacrificed for the pursuit of the others. 

Miss Potter is a beautifully-filmed movie that hearkens back to the days when propriety was everything.  When young men and women only enjoyed each other’s company in the presence of chaperones, and when the roles and duties and expectations of each were clearly laid out.  It is a sobering study on the power of the encouragement—or discouragement—that a parent can give children, which can either break their spirit or launch them into their purposes.

Miss Potter fits right in with other historical biographies to hit the silver screen in recent years as it inspires audiences with the messages that ring out most beautifully in true stories.  Like The Pursuit of Happyness, it touts the “never, never, never give up on your dream” idea that kids so need in a world of cynicism. 

With its great actors, simple-but-sweet story line, and inspiring themes, Miss Potter should do well at the box office this winter as it entertains families (well, at least the girls!) with a century-back glimpse into the life of THE best-selling children’s author of all time.

AUDIENCE:  Older children and up

CAUTIONS:

• Drugs/Alcohol:  None, beyond perhaps dinner wine.
• Language:  Brief, with a couple of mild obscenities.
• Sex:  None.
• Violence:  None.