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Bright Star

Play trailer Poster for Bright Star PG 2009 1h 59m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 173 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In 1818, high-spirited young Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) finds herself increasingly intrigued by the handsome but aloof poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw), 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.
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Bright Star

Bright Star

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Critics Consensus

Jane Campion's direction is as refined as her screenplay, and she gets the most out of her cast -- especially Abbie Cornish -- in this understated period drama.

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Critics Reviews

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Valerie Lapinski Vox Manages to bottle the fleeting feeling of spring bliss. May 20, 2022 Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator Yes, it is a thing of beauty and, yes, things of beauty are joys for ever but we can also probably say this about them: they don't always add up to the most affecting movies. Aug 30, 2018 Full Review Ed Koch The Atlantic Wonderful attention is paid to detail, including clothing, furniture and highly-stylized behavior. What is missing is emotion. Jan 17, 2018 Full Review Philip Bagnall Loud and Clear Reviews Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw dazzle in Bright Star, Jane Campion’s sumptuous tale of a simple romance that inspired great art. Rated: 4/5 Sep 19, 2024 Full Review CJ Sheu Review Film Review Everything is simple and understated, allowing the big moments their space. ... [Whishaw's] line readings are disastrous. ... Cornish is a revelation[.] Nov 9, 2021 Full Review Andrea Thompson A Reel of One's Own Jane Campion's "Bright Star" manages to accomplish quite a bit, not the least of which is a love story where the lovers not only rarely get any time alone together, but fall in love in front of the whole family. Oct 8, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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May F I would use the classic line of "I would rate it lower if I could" and I shall, I was forced to watch this movie for class, I'm currently sitting in said class. I would rather use the blunt end of spoon to surgically insert a new brain into myself, a new brain that hadn't seen this film so that I may live a life free of this film, a film that can only be describe as my thirteenth reason why. Please do avoid this film if you have the option, literally anything else I have seen as offered a more interesting plot, more exciting characters, and for a fashion designer, the outfits can only be described as a poor use of someone's time, the only outfit that displayed fanny's character would be the one at the start of the film, and maybe the ball scene if you squint. I have seen indie films with better use of symbolism for a characters fashion. In fact the only thing that could be a worse use of time then watching this movie would be to sit here and think about this film, I won't to forget this film and move on with my life. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/10/24 Full Review Luciano B Brilliant romance film; well-acted and provides a great inside look into the life of the great British poet John Keates. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/10/22 Full Review Thomas M The best movie costumes ever designed! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/26/22 Full Review david f This pedestrian love story set in 19th century England has all the trappings of a great costume drama and was inspired by John Keats' love life but it didn't quite click with me. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review jelisije j A very long movie about a poor dying poet spending his final 3 years with a women who made him want to live. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I think this movie ripped off a song from a game. This movie is really boring and blows hard, but it had a cute cat. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Bright Star

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Cast & Crew

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Jane Campion

Director

Abbie Cornish

Fanny Brawne

Ben Whishaw

John Keats

Paul Schneider

Mr. Brown

Kerry Fox

Mrs. Brawne

Edie Martin

Toots

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Bright Star

Bright Star (2009) Bright Star (2009) Bright Star (2009) Bright Star (2009) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1818, high-spirited young Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) finds herself increasingly intrigued by the handsome but aloof poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw), 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
Jane Campion
Producer
Jan Chapman, Caroline Hewitt
Screenwriter
Jane Campion
Distributor
Apparition
Production Co
Pathé Renn Productions, UK Film Council, Hopscotch Productions, New South Wales Film & Television Office, Jan Chapman Pictures, Australian Film Finance Corporation, BBC Films, Screen Australia
Rating
PG (Incidental Smoking|Brief Language|Some Sensuality|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 16, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.4M
Runtime
1h 59m
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