Bright Star

I don't know much about John Keats, I know he was a poet and died young (don't all the greats?) I'm surprised to say that I don't really know all that much more about him after seeing this.

Detailing a romance that slowly built and burned between him and a woman he lived near named "Fanny" is shown over the course of three years, although it seems a lot shorter. I know that in that time people went slower, and didn't date like they do now, but really, get the show on the road people and as one of the characters says to Keats "Just bed her already" After meeting Keats, Fanny becomes interested in him, but his friend Mr. Brown does his best to make sure that they stay apart, most of the time succeeding. Even so the young possible lovers still fall for one another. When things start to get serious or at least more so leaning towards becoming involved, Keats falls ill, it is then a waiting game to see if he gets better or not, and how Fanny deals with it.

Like many other period pieces the cinematography has a leash and collar on and can only stray so far without starting to look odd, such as with the film "Marie Antoinette" If you want to make a period piece the shots and composition have to fall in line with that. With that in mind they still kept some amazing images on screen much of the movie, even with the limitations. Much of the film has a muted and at times stark look, so when there is color it looks all the brighter and vibrant.

The film does a great job in showing the desperation that forms during a first love when people are torn apart. The longing looks, the quick kisses they steal from one another are adorable, and so sad because it cant last, and they don't know that yet. Its a quiet movie that revolves around Fanny, and her fascination with Keats who I'm sad to say we never really understand, he is quiet and reserved and just as much as a mystery to me as he was before I saw the film.

In its way it is not much different than a lot of other fare of this same period, two people want to be lovers and they cant because of family, or money, or status. I get it, so in that way it was nothing new, but it was still beautiful and sad. The lighting in parts of it looked like a painting, which as a Gaffer and Cinematographer that's what they are supposed to do, paint with light, and they took their job very seriously.

Its not really my kind of movie, after all the praise I have given it, its not a film that really appeals to me, I prefer contemporary stories, and cinematography, but this wasn't a bother to watch like some others Ive seen (Age of Innocence, to be specific) If you like movies that take place in this era then this will be something you will enjoy. 7/10 stars.

Director: Jane Campion

Starring: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Paul Schneider