Review of Bright Star (2009) by Jennifer A — 21 Jan 2010
A restrained and strikingly beautiful film.
Bright Star (2009) - 7.7/10.
Director - Jane Campion.
Cast - Abbie Cornish, Ben Whinshaw, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox, Edie Martin, Thomas Sangster.
"Bright Star" tells the true story of gifted poet John Keats (Ben Whinshaw) and his doomed romance with Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish). Fanny is interested in fashion and knows little about poetry but becomes drawn to Keats. Lack of finances, interference from Keats' writing partner Charles Brown (Paul Schneider) and ultimately Keats' illness makes this a passionate yet doomed romance.
"Bright Star" is a strikingly beautiful and poetic film. The costume design, period detail and cinematography are exquisite, but that's not a surprise with a Jane Campion film. However it's much more restrained than most of Campion's previous work. Some of her films like "The Piano" can be shockingly erotic and melodramatic but "Bright Star" is surprisingly retsrained, in a good way. It's Campion channeling Merchant/Ivory, only not as stiff or stale. In fact it took two viewings to fully appreciate the film. It never feels trite. The acting is terrific as well. Abbie Cornish certainly deserves a Best Actress nomination although it's doubtful she gets it.
This review of Bright Star (2009) was written by Jennifer A on 21 Jan 2010.
Bright Star has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
