Chris Noonan co-directed and co-wrote the 1987 Australian TV series Vietnam, which was about that country's involvement in the war, starring Nicole Kidman, then made Babe. This is a well-written and pleasing film from Richard Maltby, not seemingly based on any published material. It's his only theatrical feature script - one other TV movie credit. Perhaps he was just a massive Beatrix Potter fan.
Renee Zellweger is typically accomplished - makes it look easy - but that moment where she is told of the death of her fiancee Ewan McGregor by his sister Emily Watson puts her in the Oscar category.
With Bill Patterson in enormous whiskers, Barbara Flynn, Matyelok Gibbs (the silent governess), Anton Lesser, David Bamber, Phyllida Law, Lucy Boynton (young Beatrix), Lloyd Owen.
Good music by Nigel Westlake, and Rachel Portman. Charming animations.
Shot in London, Isle of Man, Lake District.
It's photographed by Andrew Dunn. Have to mention that tracking shot over the dining table through the course of the meal - unless it was digital, they must have had to replicate that camera move exactly at least four times to get it - most impressive.
No comments:
Post a Comment