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Bright Star Stars: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Paul Schneider, Thomas Sangster, Kerry Fox and Edie Martin Director/Scriptwriter: Jane Campion Composer: Mark Bradshaw Cinematography: Grieg Fraser Costumes: Jane Patterson BBC Films/Hopscotch Productions Rating: PG for romantic theme Running Length: 110 minutes Reviewed at Kansas International Film Festival, Sept. 2009 A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. I am sure you have heard that said many times but do you know who penned it? Yes my guess would have been Shakespeare too since that is usually a safe bet. But we would be wrong. It was written by a man named John Keats who even though dead in 1821 at the age of only 25 is to this day included in the category; greatest poets to ever live. The new film Bright Star is a glimpse into the last years of his life and his relationship with Fanny Brawne. For many the words poet, love and 1800’s will make you run yelling and screaming from the box office window. But a lack of high tech explosions and electricity in general are not necessarily reasons to bypass a film. Especially one as beautifully crafted and well written as this. If it helps, let me summarize the film as if it took place in 2008 Seattle instead of 1820’s England. You have this young, up and coming writer, Keats (Ben Whishaw) who lives next door to a young, brash, out-spoken young lady named Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish). Like most writers he is the rockstar of the community. She is into fashion, sewing and has an opinion on just about everything, including her lack of respect for the written word. They bump heads right away but soon find that they are drawn to each other in spite of their differences. When he begins writing her letters that captivate her heart it open up in her this longing to love and be loved. Sort of a Kurt Cobain /Courtney Love type thing if you will, minus the drugs and tattoos. Keats is probably spinning in his crypt at the comparison but you get the picture. Seriously though this film is a must see if for no other reason than how beautifully it is shot. The cinematography moves like an ocean of gentle waves, each one washing over your senses. The camera loves 1800’s period pieces. The clothes, mannerisms, and architecture capture the time and pull us in to a different world. Sure there were shenanigans going on but there is an air of polite society that permeates the story. And that is important in a movie where splendor is found in both love and heartache. Writer/director Jane Campion is smart in the way she weaves the works of Keats into her story. The writing comes alive as we see it portrayed out in his and Fanny’s relationship. To steal a phrase it is certainly poetry in motion. There is a lot of humor and wit in the film as well. Cornish is fantastic in her portrayal of this headstrong early century female. She often gets into word jousts with Keats’ writing partner Charles Brown (Paul Schneider) and their antagonistic relationship adds a nice spark to the overall story. This could easily become the next Pride and Prejudice. It has the look, characters and story needed to make for a perfect romantic drama. Plus it made me long for a time when things where slower and technology was not at everyone’s fingertips. There was a time to walk, talk, read and breathe. Sure people died at 25 just from getting wet in the winter, but still. Bright Star is rated PG for thematic elements, some sensuality, brief language and incidental smoking. Like the period in which it was shot it handles all subjects with sophistication and other than a few heart-wrenching moments it is completely safe for all ages. This is the perfect girl’s night, mother daughter, sister outing. Even if you have never opened a book of poems in your life you will be sucked in by the prose of the script. I give it 4 out of 5 fountain pens. It was a wonderful sea of artistry and a nice change of pace from the theatrical wading pools we have been swimming in lately. So says Matt Mungle Matt Mungle (9/14/09)
Review copyright 2009 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.
Poetry and the reading of poetry is alive in this film by Jane Campion that tells of the romance between poet John Keats and his neighbor, Fanny Brawne. It is about 1815 when the attraction began, and one can use the term “chaste” here, for decorum’s of the day, plus chaperons prevented anything physically amorous. However, in Keats poems and the letters they wrote to each other, there is enough passion for a lifetime. The postal service could have flourished on these two, alone. John Keats is portrayed by Ben Whishaw, a slim fellow with sad eyes, but he is taken with the witty and sarcastic Fanny Brawne, who doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind. You can see the sparks there and they are most evident to Keats friend and sometime writing partner, Charles Armitage Brown (Paul Schneider), who is sarcasm-personified and seems to detest Fanny. Keats and Fanny always seem to find themselves together, as they rent houses nearby, or in one instance, a duplex. Fanny’s family, consisting of her widowed mother (Kerry Fox) and younger brother (Thomas Sangster and Edie Martin), are of a slightly-upper middle class, while John Keats is always in debt. His poetry is acknowledged only by a few of his peers and his book sold 12 copies. We know now that John Keats is remembered as being one of England’s foremost Romantic poets with poems that people easily recognize, such as “Ode to a Grecian Urn,” “Ode on Melancholy,” “Ode to a Nightingale” and “Bright Star,” the title of the film. Bright Star was written about Fanny Brawne. People contrive to keep Keats and Fanny apart, and finally, it is illness that does it, for tuberculosis ran in John’s family. Their times together are pleasant ones. John spends a happy Christmas with Fanny's family (apparently with nowhere else to go), and we see home recitations of poetry that was part of life then, plus a male chorus that puts any home video game of today to shame. John Keats was ahead of his time, though who was to know it then? His poetry gives description, so in “Bright Star,” you want to close your eyes and listen to the actors read poems. Here are trained people who enunciate and portray people to whom spoken language was an important means of communication. Paul Schneider is the kind of friend who is possessive of friendship, but then he has a moment of clarity, also. Kerry Fox, as Fanny’s widowed mother, was the head of the household, but still a caring woman. The siblings, Charles and “Toots,” are children of their time, who knew their place in the family. The point of contention I have is that everyone seems too old for their role. Abbie Cornish plays Fanny and looks 25 when Fanny is about 18 and Ben Whishaw looks older for portraying a 23 year old. However, costumes (by Jane Patterson) are beautifully done and we find that Fanny was an accomplished seamstress. In fact, the film begins with her even stitches on cloth. Cinematography by (Grieg Fraser) has scenes framed like a photograph and the winter ones are a delight. Mark Bradshaw’s music highlights each scene. Bright Star is, indeed, a bright star. Copyright 2009 Marie Asner 
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