BrightStar(PG),2009|119mins|UKBasedonthelifeofJohnKeatsandhispoetryin,‘BrightStar:LoveLettersandPoemsofJohnKeatstoFannyBrawne’(Author:JohnKeats,Introduction:JaneCampion)Director/Screenplay:JaneCampion

JohnKeatsKeatswasoneofthemostinfluentialoftheRomanticpoets,andseemedtoembodyalmostallthetraitsofadedicatedRomantic–strivingtoexperienceeverything,sufferingforhisart,anddyingtoosoon.Althoughhislifeendedatthetragicallyyoungageof25,hiswritingcareerandwordshavelastedcenturies.Afteroriginallystudyingtobecomeasurgeon/apothecary,Keatsrealisedpoetrywashistruecallingandpursuedwriting.Afterthedeathofhisbrother,Tom,JohnmovedtoHampsteadandfellinlovewithFannyBrawne–theloveaffairthefilmrevolvesaround.Yethewastoopoortomarryher.Hispoetrybecamemarkedwithsadness,andhewrotethetitlepieceofthefilm,BrightStar.Theirromancewasshortlived,butacollectionofhislettersandpoetrythatinspiredthescreenplaywaspublishedalongsidethefilm:BrightStar:LoveLettersandPoemsofJohnKeatstoFannyBrawne.

TheAdaptationJaneCampionisbestknownfordirectingThePiano,whichcreatedgreatcriticaldebate.WhenyouthinkofJohnKeatsyouthinkofhispoetry–thetwoareintrinsicallylinked‐soitisrefreshingtoseeanportrayalexplorationofhislife,particularlyhisrelationships,andhiswriting.BychoosingtotellthestoryfromtheviewpointofFannyBrawne,andsinglingoutafewpivotalyears,thelifeofthepoetisdisplayedinauniqueandpassionateway.

PoemsbyKeats:OdetoaNightingale(1819)TheEveofStAgnes(1819)OdetoAutumn(1819)

JaneCampionFilms:InTheCut(2003)ThePiano(1993)Sweetie(1989)

TheFilm

BrightStarisabiographicaldramathatisremindsusoftheclichéofafalling‐for‐the‐girl‐next‐doorromance.AsanaccountofJohnKeats'(playedbyBenWhishaw)briefloveaffairwithFannyBrawne(playedbyAbbieCornish)theplotunravelsataleisurelypace.Itsredeemingfactoristhatitssubtletyandunhurriedtempogivesyouthechancetolistenaswellasenjoythevisualappealofstunningsetsanddelightfulcostumes.BrightStarwasnominatedforanOscarforBestCostumeDesign.Images:

JohnKeats

FilmnotesMelAllen

‘BrightStarisJaneCampionatherbest…sherespondstoKeats'slifeandworkwithintelligenceandgrace’TheGuardian

‘Athingofbeautyinitself’

TheIndependent