Marianne Ross, 29/02/2008
I decided to use my 'extra day' this leap year wisely, and do things I enjoy; so a day of good films it was to be! An extra day being perfect for catching up on some I'd missed, I started off with this small treasure of a film.
Quietly released in the cinema, the DVD release had also previously escaped my notice. Renee Zellwegger, as another English character, seems somehow natural in her use of the accent now; I think we are so used to her as Bridget Jones that this is no longer a barrier to becoming genuinely involved in the film from the very start.
Indeed running at under 90 minutes, quick involvement is fairly crucial. Wheras some may say this whips through her life too quickly, for many reasons I am a champion of shorter films. There are too many overlong epics which would have benefited from stricter editing. In this case, the running time helps in making this a film which will appeal to a younger audience; those who may be too old for Beatrix Potter books themselves, but are just right for curiosity into the story behind them.
Ewan McGregor co-stars as the young publisher who falls in love with the author, and he has never been more charming or more lovely.
This is a captivating look at a story which continues to have an effect on so many of us. Whether you had the books as a child, read them to someone last night, or ate your cereal from a bowl with Miss Tiggywinkle printed on it this morning, there must be very few who haven't spent time with the characters in Beatrix Potter's unique little world.
My advice? Don't leave this until a leap year like I did! I'd recommend this on different levels; as a captivating, appealingly-made film, and as an insight to a story which brought colour and imagination to most of our childhoods.
|
Add To Favourites
DVD Boxsets