Tools for this page
Print

Miss Potter

(2006, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson, Renee Zellweger)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    More about social pressure than Peter Rabbit.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Characters are utterly well behaved, though Beatrix does resist her parents' desire that she marry within her class when she falls in love with Norman.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Grief is expressed when a central character dies unexpectedly (the death occurs off screen).
  • Sex:

    Discussion of proper behavior for an unmarried woman; some embarrassed dancing and gentle kissing between the central couple.
  • Language:

    Very mild: A background character refers to a "rich bastard," and another declares her own ideas about the joys of single womanhood to be "hogwash."
  • Consumerism:

    Commercialism is a theme, in the sense that Beatrix seeks commercial success/book sales.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Social drinking; one character passes out from drunkenness (this is treated as comedy and subversion of a mother's will).
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Miss Potter

Parents need to know that, while this film focuses on Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter's career and classic children's books, it's really aimed more at adults than kids (and the younger set will probably prefer the books). It deals with some mature themes, including the death of a loved one and disagreements between an adult child and her parents. Beatrix's mother repeatedly denigrates her desire to paint and tell stories; although her father is more encouraging, parents and child also disagree over Beatrix's choice for a husband. When a protagonist dies suddenly (off screen, from an illness), survivors show grief. Some characters drink socially, and one drinks to the point of passing out (this is treated as comedy).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the conflict Beatrix feels between the expectations others have for her (to be a proper wife to a man of her class) and her own ambitions (writing and illustrating books). How is her dilemma shown in the movie? How do her parents respond differently to her decisions? How does her romance with Norman help "smooth over" the potential abrasiveness of her career ambitions? What effect (if any) do modern opinions about feminism and achievement have on the way the story is told?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Miss Potter?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great gentle period movie

    A delightful clean sweet movie Nice story my daughter and I enjoyed watching together 2xs

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    totally clean

    There is nothing wrong with this movie at ALL. It's totally clean and innocent, and has a great soundtrack to boot. Little kids will be bored, but adults (especially those who like romantic movies, will love it.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Miss Potter Is Our King

    Great movie for kids and adults. My mom took me and we both loved it and if you think it,s boring just look at Ewan McGregor or Renne Zellweger to pass the time but i donb,t think it will come to this.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Very sweet movie!

    This wasn't a terribly entertaining movie, but I liked it because it brings a sense of reality. Although kids may see it as boring, it does have some good messages.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    a beautiful film for all ages - especially young girls

    Gorgeous scenery, a gentle, sweet, sincere love story, and an unconventional, inspirational heroine make this film one of the best I've seen in some time. My 12 year-old daughter loved it, and I loved watching it with her. Beatrix loves and respects her parents, who are portrayed as kind and caring, just too bound by the rules of their society to appreciate or encourage their daughter's independant, artistic spirit. But Beatrix must create and follows her art; and then, her heart. She is true to herself and builds a life outside the confines of the rigid world into which she was born. She is richly rewarded and achieves personal fulfillment. She even finds love (on her own terms!) and continues to give to the world long after her death. What a story! Beautifully told - we highly recommend!

  7. I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0

    not ok

    hello i qwould suggest nyou don't like younger children / children at all that is watch miss potter i think our chidlren shouldn't be watchign this stupid boigraphic movie

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    i loved it and so did my kids

    my kids and i loved it and we've read it everynite since we've gotton it

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A Sweet Film

    This is just a sweet little film, nothing overly dramatic or mellow. It was a nice change from the usual Hollywood film, I enjoyed the film, it is definitely worth check out when it is released. I don't see anything in this film that would be considered inappropriate for children.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Must See TV

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Zany adventures are low on depth but high on imagination.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Download This

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name