"Bright Star" a vibrant, enlightening experience.

[CTyankee]

I write to recommend this work of art to all DUers. It is a wonderful piece of art in a sea of horrible crap movies. You know of what I speak...

This is the story of Fannie Brawne and John Keats, two lovers whose story was cut short by his tragic death at age 25 from consumption. The Jane Campion film weaves a spell on viewers. You are drawn into the time of early 19th century England, its descent into the Industrial Revolution and the Romantic English Poets, of whom Keats was (to me) the greatest poet.

I cannot speak highly enough of the intelligent screenplay, the gorgeous cinematography, the fabulous costume design (which speaks to the idea of Fannie's genius in the decorative arts), and the ingenious use of voice over Keats poetry by the two major actors who portrayed Keats and Fannie Brawne.

This is an intelligent, coherent, and lovingly portrayed portrait of not only the two lovers, but also their friends and family. It is creatively written, beautifully scripted, and faithfully rendered. A real gift. See this one.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. As soon as it's available on DVD...

I will get it.

It looks wonderful!

Thanks for the endorsement!

[Windy]

2. I can't wait to see it. Its not in any theaters in my area though.

Will have to wait for the dvd release unfortunately

[CTyankee]

4. Too bad. It is so wonderful on the big screen. But I understand why most theatres don't show it.

It got a bit of a short shrift here in New Haven, a liberal, artsy community. But finally, I got to see it!

It makes you work a little bit, I must say. So if you don't want to be challenged just a bit don't see it.

I loved it because I had lots of John Keats as a grad student. I really loved his poetry and it meant a lot to me. I treasured the Keats character reading "Ode to a Nightingale" over the final credits. I did a major paper on that poem and have loved it for many years...beautiful...

[cbdo2007]

3. I enjoyed it as well. Here is a link to The Complete Poetical Words and Letters of John Keats...

on Google Books. Full text:

http://books.google.com/books?id=_mALAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=complete+works+of+john+keats#v=onepage&q=&f=false

I enjoy his letters to Fannie Brawne more than his poems, so this is a great read/download after the movie.

[CTyankee]

5. Yes, I did read so much of his poetry in grad school and it was a joy.

I consider "Ode to a Nightingale" one of the best poems in the English language. It is read by the actor portraying him over the final credits of the film. Did you stay for that?

[cbdo2007]

6. Yes, we stayed. That was one of the best parts.

I can listen to the poetry and appreciate it when spoken by the character or read by someone but I can't follow poetry when I read it myself.

That's why I enjoyed reading through the letters though when I got home as I could "get" those a lot easier.

[CTyankee]

7. Read it out loud. It helps so much.

I read a lot of poetry to myself out loud. Feels a little foolish, but I do think I understand it better...somehow...

[snagglepuss]

8. I can't thank you enough for posting this. I have loved Keats my entire life.

I memorized Ode to a Nightingale when I was in Grade 5 and recited it to myself almost every night growing up. I still know by heart.

When I visited England the first place I visited was his home in Hampstead. I can't tell you how much he means to me. I hope the movie does justice to him and doesn't portray him like the the Victorians did as some dreamy lotus eater.

A brilliant biography I read said that the Victorian establishment was so threatened by the political radicalism of Keats and other Romantic poets that they actually set about to discredit them and discredit Romanticism. It is not by chance that these poets are thought as effeminate. Textbooks obliterated details about Keats that reveal a robust masculinity as well as his radical political views and activism.


For instance, who would have imagined that Keats was in fact an accomplished pugilist and enjoyed boxing. That when he sailed to Italy after being diagnosed with TB he promised a stranger whose wife also had TB he would look after her on the ship, and despite his illness he nursed her all the way there.

Keats' will to live was so intense and he was so physically strong that the doctor who did the autopsy could not believe how utterly ravaged his body was with TB.

I so hope that the film touches on these aspects of Keats, show him not only as an incredible poet but also as an incredible humane man.


Thanks again for posting this information.

[CTyankee]

9. In grad school I had a course in transcendence called "Myself I must remake."

We studied King Lear, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, Wallace Stevens among others. I was mesmerized all the way through the course because it was taught by a fabulous woman. One of my papers in the course was on Keats and "Nightingale." One of my favorite poetic passages is the reference to the Biblical Ruth but the whole poem is a treasure.

I also thought of Keats as a humane person. In the movie, he is portrayed as passionate but beset by debt which hobbles his desire for Fanny. The movie is as much about her as him and about the relationship they manage to create despite the circumstances brought on by social convention and his and his family's tragic health situation. It is a rich weave of a movie. I was stunned into silence at the ending...

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

10. Thank you for this. I love Campion's work and look forward to seeing it. :)

[RetroLounge]

11. It was a wonderful movie, beautifully done...

:hi:

RL

[CTyankee]

12. Hi, back atcha, RL!

Did you leave the movie theater stunned and quiet? I sure did. It was like a glass of full, rich wine that leaves you slightly dazed in wonder. I felt suffused in the utter beauty of the Keats character's recitation of "Nightingale."

[RetroLounge]

13. Exactly!

I went and saw it with another poet, and we were both amazed.

and the credits with the poetry over them? Stunning...

:hi:

RL

[CTyankee]

14. I still have my Keats book, along with Emily D's, on my bedside table.

And my Rumi as well...

[RetroLounge]

15. What? No Whitman?

:D

RL

[CTyankee]

16. Thanks for the reminder. In July, a beautiful section of "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" was read

at my son's wedding. I was stunned, since in all my long life reading poetry I had not read that poem by Whitman. It was absolutely wonderful, evocative and haunting...thanks for the reminder!

[RetroLounge]

18. Thanks for the suggestion!

I'll go find that poem and check it out!

RL

[lonestarnot]

17. Welp

I certainly love the name! :D