Bright Star

2008 Drama

Jane Campion's literary biopic tells the true story of Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish), a 23-year-old Londoner in 1818 whose independent streak manifests itself through an intense interest and love for fashion and dressmaking. Her neighbor, the struggling but gifted young poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw), underestimates her intelligence because he believes she's frivolous, and she, having no interest in literature, seems thoroughly disinterested in him. However, Fanny attempts to help the Keats family when John's brother becomes gravely ill, and in order to express his gratitude John agrees to teach her poetry -- leading Fanny and John to quickly fall deeply and profoundly in love with each other. Although they wish to wed, his lack of finances and his writing partner (Paul Schneider) -- who believes she is nothing more than an unwelcome distraction -- keep the two from marrying. more..

Director: Jane Campion

Starring: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish,Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox, Edie Martin

Reviews

  • Masterfully put-together, made with confidence, intelligence and command.

    Kenneth Turan - Los Angeles Times

    19 January 2013

  • A fine-boned, luminous tribute to Keats and the sufferings of love.

    - The San Francisco Chronicle

    19 January 2013

  • Campion's big-sisterly encouragement of Cornish's lovely, openhearted performance -- and Whishaw's well-matched response -- results in a character instantly, intimately recognizable to anyone remembering her own first love.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    19 January 2013

  • Ms. Campion, with her restless camera movements and off-center close-ups, films history in the present tense, and her wild vitality makes this movie romantic in every possible sense of the word.

    A.O. Scott - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

  • Jane Campion has performed her own feat of romantic imagination.

    Joe Morgenstern - The Wall Street Journal

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Best Achievement in Costume Design

    Academy Awards (2010)

     
  • Greig Fraser

    Australian Cinematographers Society (2011)

  • Best Cinematography

    Australian Film Institute (2010)

  • Avid Award for Best Editing on a Feature Film

    Australian Screen Editors (2010)

     
  • Best Costume Design

    BAFTA Awards (2010)