Bright Star: A Film

Production Information: Chapman, J. & Hewitt, C. (Producers), Campion, J. (Director). (2009). Bright Star. DVD. USA: Apparition.


Plot Summary: Bright Star is based on the life of John Keats, a romantic poet. The story is set in 1818 in Hampstead, England. John Keats and Fanny Brawne are neighbors. They are infatuated with each other and fall in love. Keats is in poor health, though, and is sent to Italy by friends to get better. Brawne and Keats correspond with each other through love letters.

Brawne cannot marry Keats because he is poor. Keats is supported by and lives with Charles Brown. Brown impregnates a household servant, yet through three years of romance, Keats and Brawne never have sex but display their love for each other by kissing, holding hands and touching/feeling each other through a shared bedroom wall. Keats dies of tuberculosis at a very young age.


Critical Evaluation: It is so refreshing to see such a romantic film with no intercourse involved. Bright Star is a brilliant film. The acting is superb. Ben Whishaw did an excellent job playing Keats. He was vulnerable, yet appealing. Abbie Cornish as Brawne was said to be as good an actor as Kate Winslet. She is plain but beautiful in the film. The viewer may learn a lot about England in the 1800's from this film.

Annotation: In 1818, Hampstead, England, John Keats (romantic poet) and his neighbor Fanny Brawne fall passionately in love. Fanny is unable to marry Keats because he is poor and has a short life.

About the Director: Jane Champion was the second woman, out of five, ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director. She is from New Zealand and now lives in Australia. Champion's mother was an actress and her father was a theater and opera director. She has made many films, starting in the 1980's at the Australian Film Television and Radio School. Bright Star was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and won many awards.

Genre: Film: Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts, Social Science

Talking Points: What happens when two people fall passionately in love but cannot marry?
When the odds - poverty and ill health - are stacked against the love of your life, what is one to do?

Rating & Interest Age: Rated PG. Interest age 13 and up.

Challenge Issues: None.

Reason for Inclusion: Historical significance, beautiful scenery, wonderful acting, appropriate language and filmed thoughtfully and artistically.