Chichester Cinema at New Park
Bright Star
Jane Campion takes on John Keats in her impressive return since ‘The Piano’, 17 years ago.
Breaking through any period-piece mustiness with piercing insight into the emotions and behaviour of her characters, the writer-director examines the final years in the short life of 19th-century romantic poet John Keats through the eyes of his beloved, Fanny Brawne, played by Abbie Cornish in an outstanding performance.
Keats died in 1821 at age 25, and his final years were marked by an incredible burst of creativity as well as by his one great romance, which inspired some extraordinary love letters. By concentrating on the latter, as experienced by Fanny, Campion gives rather short shrift to the former, leaving the viewer with a vivid picture of the social constraints on grand passion and romantic fulfilment in England at the time. Beautifully crafted in every department from the composure of the camerawork to the precision of the costume and production design, ‘Bright Star’ is a film to savour, and was highly praised at Cannes this year.
UK · 
Australia · 2009 · Jane Campion · 119min
