Bright Star

PG

Released Sep 16, 2009

1 hr. 59 min.

Drama

Romance

List

83%

179 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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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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

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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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Valerie Lapinski

Vox

Manages to bottle the fleeting feeling of spring bliss.

May 20, 2022

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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

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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

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

Felicia Feaster

Charleston City Paper

Bright Star is filled with such an enormity of love and feeling, it nearly takes your breath away. The film's rapturous images and Campion's vision make you long for a world as vivid and true as this one.

Jan 24, 2020

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: David M. Thompson, François Ivernel, Cameron McCracken, Christine Langan
Screenwriter: Jane Campion
Distributor: Apparition
Production Co: Australian Film Finance Corporation, BBC Films, Hopscotch Productions, Screen Australia, Jan Chapman Pictures, Pathé Renn Productions, UK Film Council, New South Wales Film & Television Office
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

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