REVIEW OF BRIGHT STAR by Elena Bonfanti
Bright star is a romantic movie released in 2009, written, directed and produced by Jane Campion. The movie is the fictionalized story of the last years of the poet John Keats, which the great Romantic spent at the side of his beloved Fanny Brawne.
The title of the film is taken from one of the sonnets the poet wrote to Fanny, who became his muse. The relationship took place during the most important phase of the artist’s career . We have their love letters, which became known long after his death. As the film shows Keats spent his life in relative poverty and without being appreciated or understood as a poet.
One of the best features of this film is the remarkable work of Greg Fraiser, the cinematographer, who makes the scenes picturesque. Many shots, especially of landscapes remind of Impressionist paintings.
The love story is told from the first meetings between the two young lovers. Playing the two protagonists, are Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish, both excellent in their parts. Cornish’s poignant interpretation captivates and enchants all spectators.
Ms. Cornish’s interpretation is maybe the best element in the film, together with how her character is written.
The narrative pace is slow in a way which seems to be in harmony with the poet’s calm state of mind. Yet, the passion that binds two young lovers is overwhelming and manifests itself in the desperation that assails Fanny when she receives the harrowing news of the death of her beloved, who had moved to Rome because of his illness.
It may be striking to see how love is shown excluding the physical side, but of course, in the early 19th Century two young middle class lovers wouldn’t go further some kisses. This makes the love between the two protagonists intellectual, transcendent, without being less intense.
Bright Star is an unusual movie, especially as a love story. Maybe it should have focused more on Keats as a great exponent of the Romantic movement, but it is delicate, elegant and intense which despite its slowness, it never gets boring.
Elisa Pasinetti : REVIEW OF THE FILM BRIGHT STAR
“Bright star” is a 2009 romantic movie that was directed by Jane Campion.
In its 119 minutes it focuses on the last three years of the life of the English poet John Keats. The protagonist is played by Ben Whishaw, while his muse Fanny Brawne is (played by) Abbie Cornish.
Fanny is the eldest daughter of a widow, a girl with a strong, passionate personality who discovers the power of poetry and the charm of the talented poet, the Romantic genius.
The film title is taken from one of his sonnets: Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art, which the poet wrote during his relationship with Fanny. One could say that the film is constructed as a poem in which Keats’ lines accompany the scenes.
Several other poems are recited in the film, such as La Belle Dame sans Merci and Ode to a Nightingale.
Too easily, many films today are defined as romantic, as if kisses and love scenes were enough to be able to define it as such.
In this film, however, the love between Keats and Funny is expressed in a different way: it is a platonic feeling that never reaches a physical conjunction -it is, after all, the 19th Century – but proves even stronger and overwhelming.
“Bright star” presents moments of great beauty such the lovers’ walks in the flowery countryside of Hampstead, the communication of mutual love between the walls of the bedrooms and the captivity of the colored butterflies in Fanny’s room. Fanny’s painful participation in the illness and death of Keats is also striking.
The lack of emphatic music, and even the complete absence of it in some scenes. This allowed the audience to concentrate on what they see on the screen.
Bright Star a beautiful film, elegant and refined.It is impossible not to be captured by the reciting of poetry and by the sweet emotions that surround the protagonists.
In short a very special, unusual movie to watch!
“Bright star” is a 2009 movie directed by Jane Campion, starring Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish.
The film, set in the early 19th century, portrays in a fictionalized way the last three years of the life of the English romantic poet John Keats (Whishaw), with his romantic involvement with Fanny Brawne (Cornish).
What’s delightful in this movie is the meticulous attention payed to details, almost as a reflection of the delicacy and attention both 19th century poetry and the fashion of the times required. The first thing that stands out is indeed the remarkable work did from the Australian costume designer Janet Patterson, who first caught our attention with her fine job in “Oscar and Lucinda”.
Delicacy is also a prime characteristic of Fanny Brawne, in opposition to the state of dejection displayed by Keats; unfortunately, the excessive melodrama steals the attention that the beautiful poetry presented throughout the script of “Bright star” would deserve.
The movie’s title itself is a reference to Keats’ poem “Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art”. One could say that this motion picture testifies how Keats’ love for Mrs. Brawne inspires his writing in the most pure forms – if that is what happened.
Sentimental, dramatic, appealingand lyrical: this is how I would describe “Bright star” to someone who has never happened to watch it.
by Ilaria Vitali
Warning! This review contains spoilers!
Jane Campion did a really good job with Bright Star, mixing the passion of a real love story with the drama of our lives.
Bright Star makes for touching and illuminating viewing; between involving relationships and oppressive quarrels we learn about the last years of John Keats’ life.
Those were difficult years for the poet, who was struggling with lack of inspiration (and of funds) and grave family problems. Things change when Keats (Ben Whishaw) meets the “nasty” Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish), an independent-minded young woman whose actions are are pure and straightforward. The two protagonists fall in love (or: fall for each other), but fate looms, in the form of Keats’ disease.
This movie is more than just a biography, it is a tribute to life; there are elements in it that strike a chord today: many may identify with Fanny: the girl lost her love because tuberculosis, like many right now feel the same sense of bereavement having lost dear ones to Covid-19.
I almost wish we were butterflies and liv’d but three summer days, three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.
This quote summarises the entire film: the poet knows that he will die, but he doesn’t give up and devotes himself to Fanny and to poetry. Keats reminds us to live every moment, not to waste our time after meaningless things because every single instant is unique.
This movie teaches how life can be extraordinary and agonizing at the same time, it spurs us to go beyond problems and to face the pain.
Complicated love, life lessons, tense relationships and enchanting poems: this is Bright Star.
by Rachele Prestini
Review of “Bright Star” by Rebecca Mutti
“Bright Star”, written and directed by Jane Campion, is a romantic movie released in May 2009; The movie was an international production. It narrates the last years in the life of the poet John Keats. The film revolves around the relationship between the poet and Fanny Brawne, played respectively by the talented Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish. Another actor worthy of mention is Paul Schneider, who is amazing as Charles Brown, Keats’ close friend.
Campion’s direction manages to create a film completely based on emotions without making it sappy or mundane. The scenes, in their apparent simplicity, hide a deeper meaning; the choice to make room for natural sounds is appealing. The fusion between these noises and Mark Bradshaw’s music is intense, delicate and elegant.
The amazing costumes were designed by the Australian Janet Patterson, who especially made Fanny’s dresses unusual. This choice is consistent with the character’s interest in fashion.
Overall the film is very good. The final scene, where Fanny Brawne reads “Bright Star” is the perfect ending to the film, very emotional yet controlled.
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