A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. I am sure you have
heard that said many times but do you know who penned it? Yes my guess would
have been Shakespeare too since that is usually a safe bet. But we would be
wrong. It was written by a man named John Keats who even though dead in 1821 at
the age of only 25 is to this day included in the category; greatest poets to
ever live. The new film Bright Star is a glimpse into the last years of his life
and his relationship with Fanny Brawne. For many the words poet, love and 1800's
will make you run yelling and screaming from the box office window. But a lack
of high tech explosions and electricity in general are not necessarily reasons
to bypass a film. Especially one as beautifully crafted and well written as
this.
If it helps, let me summarize the film as if it took
place in 2008 Seattle instead of 1820's
England. You have this young, up and
coming writer, Keats (Ben Whishaw) who lives next door to a young, brash,
out-spoken young lady named Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish). Like most writers he
is the rockstar of the community. She is into fashion, sewing and has an opinion
on just about everything, including her lack of respect for the written word.
They bump heads right away but soon find that they are drawn to each other in
spite of their differences. When he begins writing her letters that captivate
her heart it open up in her this longing to love and be loved. Sort of a Kurt
Cobain /Courtney Love type thing if you will, minus the drugs and tattoos. Keats
is probably spinning in his crypt at the comparison but you get the
picture.
Seriously though this film is a must see if for no other
reason than how beautifully it is shot. The cinematography moves like an ocean
of gentle waves, each one washing over your senses. The camera loves 1800's
period pieces. The clothes, mannerisms, and architecture capture the time and
pull us in to a different world. Sure there were shenanigans going on but there
is an air of polite society that permeates the story. And that is important in a
movie where splendor is found in both love and heartache. Writer/director Jane
Campion is smart in the way she weaves the works of Keats into her story. The
writing comes alive as we see it portrayed out in his and Fanny's relationship.
To steal a phrase it is certainly poetry in motion.
There is a lot of humor and wit in the film as well.
Cornish is fantastic in her portrayal of this headstrong early century female.
She often gets into word jousts with Keats' writing partner Charles Brown (Paul
Schneider) and their antagonistic relationship adds a nice spark to the overall
story. This could easily become the next Pride and Prejudice. It has the look,
characters and story needed to make for a perfect romantic drama. Plus it made
me long for a time when things where slower and technology was not at everyone's
fingertips. There was a time to walk, talk, read and breathe. Sure people died
at 25 just from getting wet in the winter, but still.
Bright Star is rated PG for thematic elements, some
sensuality, brief language and incidental smoking. Like the period in which it
was shot it handles all subjects with sophistication and other than a few
heart-wrenching moments it is completely safe for all ages. This is the perfect
girl's night, mother daughter, sister outing. Even if you have never opened a
book of poems in your life you will be sucked in by the prose of the script. I
give it 4 out of 5 fountain pens. It was a wonderful sea of artistry and a nice
change of pace from the theatrical wading pools we have been swimming in lately.
So says Matt
Mungle
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