Bright StarMovie Reviews

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• Must Go!
  Written September 23, 2009

  Gorgeous and romantic and Romantic

  by LadyHawke47

  This is gorgeous. Jane Campion has made a movie like a Keats poem: engaging all the senses; perfectly capturing a series of exquisite moments; a place where poetry is spoken as naturally as "leaves to a tree."
  Every performance is both understated and electric, Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw inhabit their roles effortlessly.
  Adults, teens in love with poetry, college folk both student and professor, lovers of luscious cinematography.

  • 17 out of 18 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written September 28, 2009

  A Beauty of a Film, but not for everyone

  by chrysanthemum11

  I realize my tastes are specialized when it comes to films. If you like a. literature and especially poetry; b. period flicks; c. moody British/Australian actors; d. thoughtful scriptwriting and subtle direction...you will not be disappointed in this film. It is a treat for the eye, the ear, the heart and the mind.

  • 15 out of 16 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written October 7, 2009

  Bright Star. Bright Indeed!

  by Optimism

  "A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOREVER." And that is the exact description of this perfect film, the true tale of one of history's most passionate and heartbreaking love stories. If you adore Jane Austin's works, you'll be ENTHRALLED with this vibrant (!) and exquisite masterwork.
  FABULOUS acting. Gorgeously photographed. Wrenching emotion. A pulsating and unforgettable little jewel, with a new kind of heroine!

  • 14 out of 14 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written October 14, 2009

  Bright Star illuminates love and loss of the 19th century

  by Esthergreenwood

  One thing I will say is that if you enjoy period pieces this film will be a delight. If not, then maybe not so much.
  The cinematography on this film was absolutely breathtaking. I have nothing negative to say about the acting; all were genuine and endearing performances. A wonderful screenplay overall, and an incredibly moving story that managed to stay fairly true to the life of John Keats. The fact that several of Keats' most beautiful poems were included didn't hurt either.
  Overall, I have to say, this one has made my top ten of all time.
  
  

  • 8 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written October 6, 2009

  Bright Star Shines

  by pennyprints

  Made the way films should be made with a distinctive voice and rhythm. A work of art.

  • 9 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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• Go
  Written October 21, 2009

  Bright Star

  by bcurd

  A little long, but not really slow-moving. Exceptional music and the cinematography; solid performances by the leads and supporting cast. I "chick-flick" fare, but my husband, the sci fi and adventure movie fan, was drawn in and enjoyed himself.

  • 9 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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• Go
  Written September 28, 2009

  BRIGHTSTAR

  by Glencorse

  If you love Keats this is a must see movie. If you are moved by a doomed love go to this movie.
  It is very slow, as fits the era, it is beautifully styled and the art direction is superb. The cinematography is breathtaking and truly evokes the time and place. Very lyrical and definitely NOT for the impatient.

  • 9 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written September 19, 2009

  Bright Star

  by UWS_Helen

  I really loved this movie abt the Romantic poet John Keats. Director Jane Campion has focused not on the writing of poetry but on the life of the doomed young poet & most especially his one love affair, w/ the charming, decisive Fanny Brawne - a teenager throughout their courtship & engagement.. Given the wildly romantic nature of the material, the movie cd. have been overwrought, but it's not. It's downright quiet, w/ Campion taking time to allow the characters to tell their own story. The result is that when strong emotions *are* expressed, they're all the more powerful. The acting's superb, w/ especial praise due to Abbie Cornish (Brawne), Ben Whishaw (Keats), Paul Schneider (Keats's friend Thomas Brown), Kerry Fox (Mrs. Brawne), plus tiny newcomer Edie Martin, who pretty much steals every scene she's in. Cinematography + design are gorgeous. ... Some may feel this is "for women" but my husband & other men in audience liked it v. much. Obvs. not an action movie. Audience - grownups.

  • 7 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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• So-so
  Written October 21, 2009

  Masterpiece Theater on the big screen

  by PECurls

  I enjoy period films and Masterpiece Theater so I (mostly) liked Bright Star. Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw were quite good as the young ingenue who falls for the starving poet but I didn't find that enough to love the movie. Tthe whole "Brown" and "Brawne" name thing drove me a bit nutty as the accents were fairly strong. The fashions may have been accurately depicted but truly ugly, IMO and I didn't always care for the direction by Jane Campion. Having said all of this, if you are a fan of period films and Masterpiece Theater-type movies go ahead and indulge. I look forward to seeing these 2 in other films, especially Whishaw.

  • 8 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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  Written September 26, 2009

  Love's Mystery

  by gpress

  Visually exquisite, Campion well captures the mystery - for modern and conventional thinking - of Keats having loved the plain and unlettered Fanny Brawne with her long close-ups, slow pacing, quietness, and, above all, the casting and direction of Fanny.

  • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written September 27, 2009

  • 

    Magnificent Magnificent Magnificent Magnificent Magnificent

  by Andrieux

  • 7 out of 11 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written September 21, 2009

  Oscar worthy!

  by jackiereview

  Both lead actors were excellent; period piece with a touching romantic story.

  • 3 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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• So-so
  Written September 28, 2009

  John Keats Deserves Better

  by jilldango

  Admittedly, I am a huge Keats fan. I have been in love with him since I first discovered his odes in the early college years. I had great anticipation for this film and I'm sad to say I was disappointed. I thought the acting was pretty good, especially that of Abbie Cornish (Fanny Brawne) and Paul Schneider (Charles Armitage Brown). Although Ben Whishaw makes a fantatic-looking Keats, I'm not sure I enjoyed watching him act the part as much as I wanted to. The movie poster and the trailer portrayed such sensuality and none of that ever came to pass in the film. There was beautiful cinematography in the English countryside and Fanny Brawne's meticulously-sewn gowns exquisite, but these aspects of the film were the most artistically redeeming. I think many of the flaws lie in the script itself and the directing. I was hoping for this film to be for Keats what Amadeus was for Mozart. Apparently my expectations were way overblown. Still, if you love John Keats you'll want to see it anyway.

  • 7 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written October 3, 2009

  Bright Star

  by chrisdorr

  A beautifully realized vision on all fronts.

  • 5 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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• Go
  Written October 2, 2009

  Bright Star - almost but no cigar

  by phoebetahiti

  I thought that there was much beauty in this film and being a huge fan of Jane Campion my expectations were high - There was something very removed for me about this film I felt like it was like watching a love story at arms length instead of close up.....but when you consider how few moving films are in theaters these days is definitely one to check out...

  • 4 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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