Bright Star (2009)

Director:

Jane Campion

Writer:

Jane Campion (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 October 2009 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

First Love Burns Brightest

Plot:

The drama based on the three-year romance between 19th century poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, which was cut short by Keats' untimely death at age 25. |

Plot Keywords:

Poet | 19th Century | 1810s | Bluebells | Rome Italy

Awards:

1 win & 10 nominations

Cast

Ben Whishaw	...	John Keats
Abbie Cornish	...	Frances 'Fanny' Brawne
Kerry Fox	...	Mrs. Brawne
Paul Schneider	...	Charles Armitage Brown
Edie Martin	...	Margaret 'Toots' Brawne
Thomas Sangster	...	Samuel Brawne
Gerard Monaco	...	Charles Dilke
Antonia Campbell-Hughes	...	Abigail O'Donaghue Brown
Samuel Roukin	...	John Reynolds
Amanda Hale	...	Reynolds' Sister I
Lucinda Raikes	...	Reynolds' Sister II
Samuel Barnett	...	Joseph Severn
Jonathan Aris	...	Leigh Hunt
Olly Alexander	...	Tom Keats
Theresa Watson	...	Charlotte

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements, some sensuality, brief language and incidental smoking.

Runtime:

Canada:119 min

Country:

UK | Australia | France

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:PG | USA:PG (certificate #45535) | Canada:G (British Columbia) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Jan Chapman Pictures

Trivia:

The Hyde House and Estate in Hyde, Bedfordshire substituted for the Keats House in Hampstead. Jane Campion decided that the Keats House (also known as Wentworth Place) was too small and "a little bit fusty".

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The large blue butterflies featured in the 'butterfly' sequence are tropical and would not have been found in Britain at that (or any other recent) time.

Quotes:

John Keats: [about writing poetry] It ought to come like leaves to a tree, or it better not come at all.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2009-09-19)" (2009)

Indie Film Perfection

Just saw this at the Ritz East. There wasn't much else playing & this had an 8.1 rating on IMDb so I thought I'd check it out. My instincts were well rewarded because this was one of the best movies I've seen. It was a very well constructed film detailing the relationship of the Romantic poet John Keats with his lover Fanny Brawne, as well as Keats' relationship with his friend and patron Charles Brown.

The actors were relatively unknown to me. I'm pretty sure I've seen Paul Schneider, who played Charles Brown, in other films. But Abbie Cornish, who played Fanny, and Ben Whishaw, who played Keats, are new to me. They were great. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job.

Jane Campion, the Director, brought the period to life. And the character development was outstanding. The viewer really felt a connection to the characters in the film, even minor characters, like Fanny's mother & siblings, were highly engaging. Fanny's younger sister was the most adorable little girl in film since Gretl in "The Sound of Music".

The music and mood of the movie fit the period and subject perfectly. I was mesmerized from the beginning to the end of this great film. I think I'll go back and see it again. It was that good.

The movie ended, while the credits rolled, with Whishaw reciting "Ode to a Nightingale" set to classical music. The audience stayed up until the last credit rolled. It was a nice touch to finish the movie with.

This movie will likely be the definitive film about Romantic poets. Maybe Campion will direct a movie about Byron in Greece or Shelley in Italy. One thing is for sure, she set the bar pretty high with "Bright Star".