Bright Star

This film has much to be admired. The art direction is beautiful and reveals 18th century rural England in a romantic and yet realistic perspective. There are few films that would give the viewer a real glimpse into what life might be like in another century but this film is able to achieve that goal. The screenplay was superb, it is not so much complex as subtle. The acting was outstanding. Overall this is a highly recommended film. Jane Campion’s sensitivities to theme, character, and especially the flow of time was very evident. Before electricity and the industrial revolution, families were with each other constantly, working, playing and in each other’s business. This film depicts this so well as Fanny Brawne, played by Abbie Cornish, engages in an extended engagement with the romantic poet, John Keats, played perfectly by Ben Whishaw. Cornish plays her role as an independent and intelligent young woman who falls in love with a poor undiscovered literary genius. Whishaw is exceptional in portraying the vulnerability and ambiguities of poverty, ill health, and romantic obsession. John Keats was a Romantic Poet during that period of transition between the Neo-Classical world of the Napoleonic wars to the Romantic period of Wordsworth and Coleridge. Unfortunately, a few years after losing his young brother to tuberculosis he also dies of the disease at age 25.The film also unfolds the relationship between mentor Charles Armitage Brown, played perfectly by Paul Schneider, and Keats; a relationship that competed with Keat’s relationship with Fanny. This creates a tension throughout the film that is finally broken with the death of Keats. Fanny’s two younger siblings play a role of companions but also co-conspirators in the love affair between Fanny and John Keats. This feature of the film is charming for Jane Campion reveals these children to be both innocent and yet fully aware of the power of human love. It conveys the message that romantic love, with all its power and depth, can be understood by children.This is a beautiful and moving film. It is a feast for the eye yet a tragedy of lost potential as Keat’s love and art are cut short by disease. It is highly recommended

Such a compelling story and SO WELL ACTED! I watch every chance I get

The period story drew my attention and in that this movie excels. Wonderful scenery and costuming. This historical significance of a beloved poet, Keats, gives it another aspect which will be enjoyed by yet other following. The romance is just a measure flat, but that has to do more with the attempt to make this story accurate to the life of Keats. Not a fault of the dialogue, and writing. Keats had only a short time to experience love, and his poetry falls short only in quantity of what could have been. Death stole him much too young. Abbie Cornish ("Outriders","Candy","Elizabeth: The Golden Age") and Ben Whishaw ("Brideshead Revisited") make it a believable love affair.Jane Campion, dir/prod, states in bonus interviews that the movie was shot outside of London at the Hyde House, Ashridge Estate. Beautiful, perfection, and every wonderful facet of the grounds were used for the film. Other bonus include one 2-min. deleted scene (why delete?); and 3 featurettes (10 minute total): Becoming Keats & Fanny, Setting the Scene, An Inspiring romance.Subtitles provided.So watch this as a documentary, romantic drama, for Keats written words, for the period excellence, or just for entertainment. It was worth my purchase. Glad I own it. A re-watch, for sure.

Fanny has a pretty loving family who takes in John Keats as part of the family. Keats is portrayed as a very compassionate man who cares well for his dying brother, Tom. Fanny as well, attending to Tom's and also John's needs through both of their illnesses. taking errands, giving them gifts and being by their bedsides in a mass emotional support.John and Fanny firt meet in the winter of 1818, she is a teen age girl and he is a early 20 something. Fanny was not into poetry upon meeting Keats but after their first meeting puts her brother Samuel and sister Toots up to buying a book of Keats' poems She reads the book and basks in his words, establishing a strong desire to learn more about Keats. Keats, in return, studies her and eventually tutors her in poetry. Among hearing her teachers romantic words, Their love blossoms.The couple faces the pressure of societal differences, and other try to make it clear to them that John and Fanny can never marry. Keats' friend Charles Armitage Brown is the most ardent in this, and continues to tell Keats that he will have no freedom as he struggles to provide for what Brown considers to be Fanny's frivolous needs.In Keats' failing health, he resolves to mercifully sever ties with Fanny...This is a true period film, and the antique English manners are shown wonderfully through out the movie. we see the deeply in loveness of the couple yet Keats and Fanny refer to each other as Mr. and Miss until almost the very end of their relationship.It really is over all the perfect blend of romance, civility, and drama. And if you enjoy period pieces the way I do, you have simply got to see it!

Ben Wishaw again! Please more of his films ! He is so talented!

brings John Keats's beautiful words to life and adds context for the writing of them. Requires a box of tissues!

Great movie!Fine interpretations. More than a period film, a film about sensitivity and poetry. Not an extraordinary film, but an honest film, a film where sensitivity and good taste go hand in hand, so a beautiful film.

L'image est parfaite : fluidité de la caméra (sans à-coups), enchaînement des plans très esthétique, cadrage intelligent : de la grande Campion de la veine de "Portrait d'une Femme" (un pur chef-d'oeuvre). Ces deux oeuvres de qualité tant par l'intérêt du sujet traité que par la maîtrise parfaite des acteurs, des décors, des costumes et du montage, dénotent paradoxalement du reste de l'oeuvre de Campion. En effet, il me semble personnellement dommage qu'un savoir-faire de cette qualité ne s'applique en aucune manière aux autres oeuvres réalisées par Campion... Dommage !!!Quoiqu'il en soit, "Bright Star" est à voir et à revoir (les puristes auraient préféré, peut-être, que la récitation des poésies ait été insérée tout au long du film plutôt que pendant le déroulement du générique et que la diction fût moins contemporaine). Espérons que Campion ait à nouveau l'envie de réaliser un troisième film de qualité !

Mitreißend, intensiv und vor allem natürlich.Die Schauspieler sind authentisch und tragen uns in eine vergangene Zeit.Ein Film, den ich mir immer mal wieder ansehen werde. :-)