Movieo
Poster for Bright Star

Bright Star

First love burns brightest.

2009 · 1h 59m · PG Drama, Romance
Directed by Jane Campion

Seen it?

Overview

In 1818, high-spirited young Fanny Brawne finds herself increasingly intrigued by the handsome but aloof poet John Keats, who lives next door to her family friends the Dilkes. After reading a book of his poetry, she finds herself even more drawn to the taciturn Keats. Although he agrees to teach her about poetry, Keats cannot act on his reciprocated feelings for Fanny, since as a struggling poet he has no money to support a wife.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
83%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Campion, who won fans with The Piano (1993) and lost them with the dismal In the Cut (2003) here returns to the top of her form.

Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
Fresh

A combination of unstuffy dialogue, wise casting, unselfconscious performances and sensuous but never pretty photography makes Campion's version of the nineteenth century feel current but not anachronistic.

Dave Calhoun, Time Out
Fresh

For a movie so sensuously mounted, it's remarkably grounded.

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
Fresh

The rare film about the life of an artist that is itself a work of art.

Dana Stevens, Slate
Fresh

In its way Campion's film is a thing of beauty, but its characters' inner lives must be taken on faith.

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

Comments

Talk about the film with other members

More films