Bright Star - 2009

Category: Movie

Genre: Romance / Drama

Director: Jane Campion

Writer: Jane Campion

Tagline: A thing of beauty is a joy forever. / First Love Burns Brightest

Cast: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox, Edie Martin, Thomas Sangster, Claudie Blakley, Gerard Monaco, Antonia Campbell Hughes, Samuel Roukin and more

Overview and Review of the movie Bright Star directed and written by Jane Campion.

This is a movie about the secret love affair between 18th century poet, John Keats (Ben Whishaw), and Frances "Fanny" Brawne (Abbie Cornish). Fanny is a seamstress and is obsessed with fashion while John is into poetry and literature. They weren't both impressed with each other at first with their varied interest.

Fanny says: "my stitching's have done better than what you mares do with your scribblings put together."

Fanny hears that Keats was nursing his sick younger brother, Tom who had Tuberculosis , and her efforts to help touched John Keats and then later she asked him to teach her about poetry.

Fanny's mother grew alarmed and Keat's friend Mr. Charles Brown tried to tell the two lovers how it's not wise to fall in love with each other. Mr. Charles Brown constantly reminds them of that and he appears to be an antagonist between the romance. But, it was a love that has outer complications. Such as, John Keats being broke and cannot marry someone yet. He has to make a living. Tis and Tat.

The story is very simple, but somehow the movie romanticized the ordinary. It is very engaging. And it makes you love everything about it specially the way everything was spelled out in "simple elegance". I just love the cinematography. I love the beautiful cinematic scenes. Those flowers, the laughter, the butterflies, the fields of lavender, the trees, the winter, the spring. The transitions were good and romantic. The powerful sensation and scenes the young lovers had were very poignant. There would be times were there were no dialogues needed. Just raw emotion and the scene. This is how a simple... story should be delivered. :)

Both Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish did a brilliant great job depicting the characters. Scenes were very authentic, charming and endearing.

I like how Fanny's siblings were depicted, the olden way. They were always chaperoned. And the guy was a gent to respect that. Not everyone respects that these days. Only a chosen few. Margaret "Toots" was a sweet young sister. So innocent. And his brother Samuel was gallant and noble enough.

For people who loves poetry and romance coupled with tragedy.. this movie is for you.

Lines I enjoyed:

Fanny: You know I'd do anything for you...
Keats: I have a conscience..

Keats: There's a holiness to a heart's affection that you know nothing about!

Keats: Forever young, Forever panting.

Keats: I almost wish we were butterflies and could live three summer’s days – three such days with you could fill with more delight than 50 common years ever contain