Drama based on the true story of Beatrix Potter starring Rene Zellwegger shot on location in London and the beautiful Lake District. The dowdy, fanciful Beatrix Potter is in her thirties and still living with her parents in London who'd like to see her married off. She shows no inclination to marry, despite a stream of young men beating a path to her socialite parents' door to pitch woo. Withdrawn and unusual, Miss Potter (Zellwegger) prefers instead to immerse herself in the world of the animals she draws and writes about, including Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck. She finally puts together enough illustrations to fill a book and Norman, (Ewan McGregor) the man the publisher assigns to the project, quickly falls in love with her. Soon the contrary Miss Potter's life is turned around but, typically, her uppity parents disapprove vociferously of Norman and Beatrix is forced to choose between her family and her great love. Miss Potter walks that fine line between charming and cloying with pleasing sure-footedness. Apple-cheeked Renee Zellweger ( Bridget Jones' Diary) once again slips into a British accent to play writer/illustrator Beatrix Potter, the creator of Peter Rabbit. Potter, born into wealth, fought the disapproval of her high society mother to do something as crass as publish a book... and to fall in love with her publisher, Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor, previously teamed with Zellweger in Down With Love). Unfortunately, their love runs into something worse than upper-class stuffiness. Miss Potter skips through Potter's life a bit too briskly at times, but Zellweger's thankfully restrained performance, McGregor's infinite charm, and some beautiful shots of the English landscape keep the movie grounded and engaging. Also featuring a crackling supporting performance by Emily Watson ( Breaking the Waves) as Warne's sister Millie. --Bret Fetzer