Jane Campion's Bright Star delivers all that it promises and more.
As I don't want to spoil the experience of seeing it for you.
I am just going to say that I was moved and enjoyed seeing this aspect of Keats poetry transformed to the big screen through his romance with Fanny Brawne.
The filming is true to it's nineteenth century setting. The relationships between the characters are charming and realistic. The butterfly scenes are reminiscent of all young girls in their obsession with first love. Further Keats poems are recited by Ben Wishaw as Keats over the final credits.
Showing posts with label Bright Star. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bright Star. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Keats 1795-1821




Jane Campion's latest film Bright Star is opening in Australia this week.
About the relationship between Fanny Brawne and John Keats at the end of his short 25 yrs of life. The poem from which the title is taken is
Bright Star! Were I steadfast as thou art
Bright star! Would I were steadfast as thou art -
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night,
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like Nature's patient sleepless Eremite,
The moving water's at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution around earth's human shores
Or gazing on the new soft fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors -
No, - yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel forever it's soft fall and swell,
Awake forever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever - or else swoon to death.
J.Keats
This poem attributed to Keat's relationship with Fanny Brawne is both romantic and prophetic in its desire for an unconsummated but undying love in death.
There is a new edition of Keats poems and letters out to coincide with the film, including an introduction by Jane Campion describing her study of the poems as she conceived the movie. Most bookshops are selling it this week for $27.95 and including a double pass to the film next weekend.
Naturally I am look forward to seeing the movie "Bright Star" next weekend and will post my review afterwards.
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