|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
BRIGHT STAR |
 |
|
You have to really enjoy European history to to get into period pieces. You have to really enjoy that ever so proper way of
doing even the most scandalous things. And back then, sneezing the wrong way was scandalous. "Bright Star" is about the forbidden romance between Poet John Keats and Fannie Brawn in the 1800s. Their romance was held secret until seven years after her death when her eldest son revealed the love letters between Keats and
his late mother; the unknown woman who served as the muse to the impoverished poet. |
|
|
|
|
|
Abbie Cornish ("Stop Loss") portrays Fannie while Ben Wishaw (The International) plays Keats. Paul Schneider plays Charles Armitage
Brown Keats best friend who does his best to cock-block the entire romance. The two met by accident as she was chastising Brown (an act she does quite often). Keats was living with Brown but also
caring for his sick brother. It was her assistance caring for his brother that drew Keats closer to her. But their love was forbidden because he was a man of little to no means. Back then poets and writers were the
original starving artist back then. A decent woman - and Fannie was left well-off by her late father - didn't consort with men with no means. Although her mother liked Keats, she couldn't consciously give their relationship her blessing. Brown was totally against it, almost as if he was gay. |
|
|
|
|
|
Inevitably the two fall for each other in a peachy keen no-no type of romance after Keats agrees to give Fannie poetry lessons. "Bright Star" is a wonderful period piece about 19th century relationships and socializing; less so about poetry - though we do hear a few of
Keats works recited either in part or entirely. Director Jane Campion, who guided Holly Hunter and Anna Paquin to Oscars with "The Piano", does another magnificent
job of casting the right Abbie Cornish fitting into the period like a fine leather glove. Paul Schneider (whom we last saw in "Lars and the Real Girl") is terrific as Charlie Brown. More importantly Whishaw emotes as Keats perfectly. He displays the suffering of an impoverished writer - as most were (and are). "Bright Star" is perfect for literary/romance buffs who swoon to the stories of yesteryear. Great chick-flick! --GEOFFREY BURTON
|
|
