A sweet unrest

 
       I hardly ever go to the cinema, but on a sudden whim yesterday I went to see Bright Star, Jane Campion's film about the love affair of John Keats and Fanny Brawne. I'd go to it again like a shot.

     It is superb: visually very, very beautiful, scripted and filmed with subtlety and restraint, extremely well acted, and of course, terribly sad - but the emotional pitch is perfect, it is not sentimental. Do go and see it if you can.

    The marvellous costumes are on show at Keats House in London's Hampstead, and the film's title comes from this poem. You can see a short interview with Jane Campion here and another trailer here.

I ought to act on sudden whims more often if they are as successful as this one was!

Comments

[Jennifer]

I've heard so many good things about it, I can't wait till I have a chance to see it. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Joanna]

So glad it's good. A couple of years ago, I led a party of middle-aged women to the flat where he died, and we stood in his bedroom, high above the Spanish Steps, all silently crying. Later, over a lovely Roman lunch, we talked about our fears for our teenage/early 20s sons.

So, you can see, I really want Bright Star to be good.

Joanna

[Dark Puss]

Regarding your last sentence; told you so! DP xxx

[Harriet]

I've been a bit wary of this film -- being a great admirer of Keats I have been afraid I'd find it cheesy. Now I want to go! So thanks for this.

[Nicole]

I agree with you totally. Bright Star is perfect. I've seen it twice, and would love to see it again. It's made me re-discover Keats which is a wonderful thing!

[Darlene]

Lucky you! We're still waiting for it to show up where I live, glad to read that it's everything I hoped it would be.

[WendyGK]

This was a beautiful film. I was absolutely transported by the light, the cinematography, the poetry. . .