Miss Potter

I can't think of any actor more perfectly suited to play the creator of Peter Rabbit than Oscar winner Renee Zellweger. She shines as author Beatrix Potter in "Miss Potter," a film perfect for any age.

At the turn of the century in England, women were expected to marry within their social class, maintain a well run home and follow strict social etiquette.

Beatrix Potter was interested in none of those things. She enjoyed her imaginary world of animals, adorable creatures like bunny rabbits, ducks and frogs, much to her old-fashioned mother's disappointment.

Potter's books are eventually published and a huge success, again to her mother's disapproval. Even worse, she falls in love with her book editor, played by Ewan McGregor, a wonderful man, but not of the right social class.

But Beatix doesn't care what her mother thinks, and lives her life the way she wants, surrounded by her imaginary friends.

Zellweger wanted to bring Potter's story to the screen because she says so few of us really know her importance in history.

"It was really fascinating after reading the script to realize that this was not fiction, that this was this woman's life, and to know so little about it. And then to begin the research process and to go down to the Warren company where they are the caretakers of her legacy," Zellweger said, "and hear them say yeah! You're making a film about the woman because so few people know what an extraordinary life she led."

Zellweger was also insistent on McGregor playing her book editor Norman.

She e-mailed him profusely, until he agreed to do it.

The two had worked together before on the comedy "Down With Love."

"I think he has a very rare quality an ability to emote in a very honest way that's subtle and not manipulative," Zellweger said.

"She does such a beautiful job in this film and she plays her beautifully with great care and absolute and I can say it from first-hand experience, absolute conviction and dedication to playing who she considered the real Beatrix Potter to be," McGregor said.

"Miss Potter" is a lovely, sweet story, well told in a timely 92 minutes. Renee Zellweger has already earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance and I suspect she won't go unnoticed at the academy awards.

"Miss Potter" is rated PG.