Review: Bright Star (2009, Campion)
July 13th 2010 04:08
Bright Star (2009, Campion)
Written July 12, 2010
Bright Star tells the story of romantic era poet John Keats and his relationship with Fanny Brawne. Brawne was a fashion designer, full of life and spirit. Keats was soft-spoken, tormented financially and not in the best of health. He spent the last 2 to 3 of his life in love with Fanny; for most this they lived as neighbors and were able to see one another every day. Fanny didn’t especially care for some of Keats’ poetry at the start; not many people did. When he recites the poem he wrote for her, Bright Star, its then that you can finally tell how much she adores the words, but moreover, she adores the man behind those words.
Bright Star is directed by Jane Campion, a director masterful in the helming of period pieces. It’s her brilliant direction that makes this film shine. Take for example the way she frames the aforementioned scene in which Keats unveils his poem to Fanny. Her framing of the two actors is immediate but without being in your face. The camera lovingly lingers as this scene plays out with quiet grace. These words can basically be used to describe the entire film. Campion is not one for showy scenes; she lets them unfold delicately. She uses each set piece both outside and in to their fullest potential. There is nothing out of place in this film; the costumes are perfect, the art design is flawless, and the cinematography is utterly gorgeous – the exterior scenes in particular consist of incandescent, vibrant colors.
Abbie Cornish is stunningly effective as Fanny and it’s incredibly unfortunate that she was overlooked at the Academy Awards this past year; she without a doubt gave one of the best performances of 2009. Cornish balances the unpredictability of falling in love with beautiful precision. At times she steals her heart; others she dives in head first, falling into despair when Keats leaves on holiday. There’s a breathtaking scene after she and Keats kiss for the first time; Fanny is in her room, the window is open and she lies down on the bed. Suddenly, the cool spring breeze is blowing the curtain straight toward her, reaching out to her body on the bed and flapping like it doesn’t have a care in the world.
Other stand-out scenes include the usage of Mozart’s Serenade in Bb, completely acapella, both over the opening and end credits and scene early on in the film. There’s also the perfect placing of Fanny and Keats on the bed, in fetal positions facing one another, while the camera looms lovingly overhead. But the best scene of all Fanny’s heartbreak at the end of the film – her anguish is tangible.
Ben Whishaw is great as Keats but this is Fanny’s tale, ultimately. There is little focus on Keats when Fanny is not there as she is the connector in the film. Also fabulous is Paul Schneider who has proven to be one of the most talented young actors on both the big and small screen working today. Schneider has the difficult role of being typecast as the film’s villain. He is certainly the main source of conflict aside from Keats’ illness and financial situation. As close friend Charles Brown, it is clear he cares for Keats a great deal and is completely devoted to him. At the same time, however, he ultimately clashes with Fanny and there is certainly no love lost.
Bright Star is an achingly rich tale of love and loss; it is wonderful to know that nearly everything onscreen did in fact happen (although some events are certainly dramatized), as is preserved by the numerous letters left behind by Keats and others close to him.
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Campion's The Piano is a favourite movie of mine. I should review it for my Cult Projections site.
Comment by Cinema is truth
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile