Review of Bright Star (2009) by Dana A — 17 Mar 2010

I'm not going to lie, when I first saw this movie I wasn't a fan and found it all a bit underwhelming. I watched it again recently for a second time and somehow I was a new experiance for me, as if something awakened.

While this movie was missing conflict, drama and the weight of Atonement, there is something simply beautiful about this film. Without all the drama it remains a simplistic story yet a well executed one.

Both lyrically and visually breath-taking, you find yourself captivated by it all, especially the butterfly scene. There's plenty of humor thanks to Paul Schneider, who is provides a surprising sarcastic tongue, Abbie Cornish was wonderful and Ben Whishaw was equally talented.

The chemistry between the two is very visable but unlike other romance films it isn't suffocating. It simply is what it is, a pure genuine care for each other and when you reach the end its heartbreaking to the point where you literally feel Abbie Cornish's pain, the sign a true actress.

While your entertained with the story, words cannot express the pure essence of Keats poems, the way he had with words combined with this script is a poets and writers dream, you find yourself wanting to hear his words over and over again.

This isn't a film for everyone but those who truly enjoy the spoken and written word might have a deep appreciation for this film and John Keats.