Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse
By Alistair Lawrence,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Feel-good Christmas family movie deals with grief and aging.
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Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse
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What's the Story?
ROALD & BEATRIX: THE TAIL OF THE CURIOUS MOUSE tells the stories of two of the U.K.'s most beloved children's authors, Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter. Following their individual struggles, the six-year-old Dahl (Harry Tayler) meets the aging Potter (Dawn French) in a meeting that has an impact on both of their lives.
Is It Any Good?
An all-star cast ensures that this British TV movie has no shortage of talent on screen, which carries its well-intentioned but slightly lightweight script. Inspired by a real-life meeting between Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter, it's mainly a chance for everyone involved to have some fun with plenty of allusions to the authors' most iconic works.
Having Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse conjure up something as memorable as the world-famous stories of its two subjects is asking the impossible, but it builds to a satisfying final act where the pair are united. It also manages to balance some light-hearted moments with serious topics, along with a dash of the dark humor for which both authors are loved, and which livens up Dahl's encounters with some monstrous adults and Potter's dealings with clueless publishers. With its Christmas setting, this is solid family entertainment, stuffed with rich production values and season good cheer.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can discuss the relationship between Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter in Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse. What do you think their meeting gives them both? How does this help them?
How does Roald Dahl deal with the death of his father? Do you think he responded to feeling sad and angry in the right way?
How does Beatrix Potter cope with getting older? Did it surprise you that she had stopped enjoying her work? How does she change over the course of the movie?
How much do you know about the works of Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter? Did you spot any references to their works within the movie?
The movie is a fictionalized account of a real-life event. Why is it important that we recognize that? What other examples can you think of where the story is based on something that actually happened?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: December 24, 2020
- Cast: Harry Tayler , Dawn French , Jessica Hynes
- Director: David Kerr
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Hartswood Films
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Book Characters
- Character Strengths: Curiosity , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time: 78 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: January 19, 2022
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