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BrightStar(PG),2009|119mins|UKBasedonthelifeofJohnKeatsandhispoetryin,‘BrightStar:LoveLettersandPoemsofJohnKeatstoFannyBrawne’(Author:JohnKeats,Introduction:JaneCampion)Director/Screenplay:JaneCampion
JohnKeatsKeatswasoneofthemostinfluentialoftheRomanticpoets,andseemedtoembodyalmostallthetraitsofadedicatedRomantic–strivingtoexperienceeverything,sufferingforhisart,anddyingtoosoon.Althoughhislifeendedatthetragicallyyoungageof25,hiswritingcareerandwordshavelastedcenturies.Afteroriginallystudyingtobecomeasurgeon/apothecary,Keatsrealisedpoetrywashistruecallingandpursuedwriting.Afterthedeathofhisbrother,Tom,JohnmovedtoHampsteadandfellinlovewithFannyBrawne–theloveaffairthefilmrevolvesaround.Yethewastoopoortomarryher.Hispoetrybecamemarkedwithsadness,andhewrotethetitlepieceofthefilm,BrightStar.Theirromancewasshortlived,butacollectionofhislettersandpoetrythatinspiredthescreenplaywaspublishedalongsidethefilm:BrightStar:LoveLettersandPoemsofJohnKeatstoFannyBrawne.
TheAdaptationJaneCampionisbestknownfordirectingThePiano,whichcreatedgreatcriticaldebate.WhenyouthinkofJohnKeatsyouthinkofhispoetry–thetwoareintrinsicallylinked‐soitisrefreshingtoseeanportrayalexplorationofhislife,particularlyhisrelationships,andhiswriting.BychoosingtotellthestoryfromtheviewpointofFannyBrawne,andsinglingoutafewpivotalyears,thelifeofthepoetisdisplayedinauniqueandpassionateway.
PoemsbyKeats:OdetoaNightingale(1819)TheEveofStAgnes(1819)OdetoAutumn(1819)
JaneCampionFilms:InTheCut(2003)ThePiano(1993)Sweetie(1989)
TheFilm
BrightStarisabiographicaldramathatisremindsusoftheclichéofafalling‐for‐the‐girl‐next‐doorromance.AsanaccountofJohnKeats'(playedbyBenWhishaw)briefloveaffairwithFannyBrawne(playedbyAbbieCornish)theplotunravelsataleisurelypace.Itsredeemingfactoristhatitssubtletyandunhurriedtempogivesyouthechancetolistenaswellasenjoythevisualappealofstunningsetsanddelightfulcostumes.BrightStarwasnominatedforanOscarforBestCostumeDesign.Images:
JohnKeats
FilmnotesMelAllen
‘BrightStarisJaneCampionatherbest…sherespondstoKeats'slifeandworkwithintelligenceandgrace’TheGuardian
‘Athingofbeautyinitself’
TheIndependent