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A thing of beauty is a joy for ever…
Bright Star’s trailer does not do it justice. It leads you to think that Bright Star is a typical English period piece. Well, it is – and it isn’t. Yes, it has the prerequisite costumes, accents and English politeness. But there is none of the “aren’t we all so charming?” air one encounters in Jane Austen films or the cool aloofness of Merchant Ivory. Bright Star is slow and unassuming. It’s the acquaintance you label a frigid bore, but slowly discover is warm-hearted and lovely despite their reserve. Bright Star sneaks up on you. It’s beautifully shot; the cinematography is often breathtaking. It’s sensual, but all that ever happens between the protagonists, Keats and Brawne, are chaste kisses and intertwined fingers. Instead, Campion uses nature and scene construction to create a electricity that is sometimes palpable. This is by far my favorite Jane Campion film. In comparison her other films are constipated spinsters. Of course, Campion is helped along by a poignant storyline, the sublime poetry of Keats and the very likeable Abbie Cornish, who plays Fannie Brawne.
Bright Star is not a cookie cutter English period piece;
it’s cinematic poetry. |
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