Bright Star

UK 2009, 119 minutes
Dir. Jane Campion
Rating: [PG]
Genres: Drama / Romance

Feat. Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox, Edie Martin

Aroview: A resounding return-to-form for dir. Jane Campion, who is in full flourish with this delicate and deeply romantic tale of the doomed love between the poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne.

In her element with the material, the director finds satisfying cinematic form for Keats' swoony poetry and the strong-willed Brawne's romantic surrender, with lead actors Wishaw and Cornish richly lending to their mystique and chemistry. The scrupulous attention to detail is never over-indulged, but elevates it well above so many perfunctory attempts at the 19th Century biopic. Striking more than a passing resemblance to Campion's THE PIANO, this is her best film since.

Member Reviews

Average rating (Good Enough). Showing 1-4 of 4 member reviews.

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4 stars (Very Good) Unabashedly romantic, warm & witty, the English countryside, blooming then snow-filled, is the perfect setting for John and Fanny's short-lived story of love that really could never be. It's gorgeous & Campion's attention to detail never fails to impre ~GenXGirl
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0 star (Not rated) Jane Campions film is refreshing and realistic . wrt the story itself.....the whole thing screams of Mr Brown and Fanny....but..Mr Keats poems did improve! Best scenes" Keats highland fling 10/10, Mr Browns suitcase brown eyes, the choir, Fanny's sewing ~Ingrid
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1 star (Turkey) Self-indulgent. Campions hand is very present. Cornish is wonderful and the costuming and cinematography is breathtaking. Still, felt robbed of 2 hours of my life which wasn't helped by the cramped seats at The Embassy. Kahuninja ~Kahuninja
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4 stars (Very Good) High production values.NZFF 2009. Beautiful scenery and photography. ~Tubbs