Bright Star

Last night I went to see Bright Star, the latest film by Jane Campion (The Piano). It was playing at the Oxford Theater, just down the road from me, as part of the Atlantic Film Festival.
The story is based on the three year romance between John Keats and Fanny Brawne. As such it is a delicate tale filled with poetry. I did not find it slow or boring as it had the potential to be. Perhaps the old man snoring a couple seats down from me would disagree but I suspect it was just past his bedtime - the film didn't start until almost 10PM.
Though there was much reciting and quoting of poetry in the script, the cinematography was also visual poetry. I could have done without the woman beside me gasping "What a beautiful shot!" regularly but she was absolutely right.
I do not wish to give any of the story away, but if you know about the life of John Keats, then you will know how it ends. Though not a fairy tale ending, I did not leave the theater feeling sad or depressed, but moved. Moved by the beautiful tale, the inspiring filmmaking, and the amazing acting.

I had seen Ben Wishaw (Keats) once before in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer and have found both of these performances outstanding. Abbie Cornish (Brawne) was new to me but her performance was breathtaking at times, raw and genuine. Scratch that, I just looked her up and she is not new to me at all. I suppose it is a testament to her acting ability that I didn't recognize her. I saw her just a couple weeks ago in Candy which is also a wonderful film with Heath Ledger (warning: do not translate wonderful to uplifting, I have yet to see a film about drug addicts that isn't depressing). I have also seen her in Elizabeth: The Golden Age. I also enjoyed the performance of Edie Martin as Fanny's young sister Toots.

I'm not sure when Bright Star will hit theaters but I highly recommend it. And you will get the full effect of those amazing shots if you see it on the big screen.
I am off to The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus tonight so you can expect another review tomorrow.