Bright Star, the new film from Academy Award nominated director, Jane Champion (not to be confused with Jan Chapman, one of the film's many producers), features some of the best cinematography in a motion picture this year. The film is simply beautiful to look at. It is very nature heavy, showcasing all the trees and beautiful multicolored fresh and lively flowers imaginable (in every season), and one could describe the movie's mise en scene as being a luscious mosaic of color. Call it a Terence Malick directed romantic drama.
I love the use of snow in movies (i.e. Fargo, The Magnificent Ambersons, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), and this film uses snow (and snowy trees!) in an effective scene late in the film. The inclusion of butterflies is also interesting and visually pleasing.
Oh, and the costumes are exquisite, as they should be, due to Fanny Brawn's love for the fashionable, and every outfit of hers contrasts the scenery in a striking manner. I would love to see a book compiling all the shots in this picture as a way of aptly giving cinematographer Greig Fraser his due.
The story, of the trials and tribulations of poet John Keats, is well known, and it isn't the be all end all of biopics, if that's the category most moviegoers will categorize it in. As a historical piece, it is not overly dry or slow plodding. It takes its time, sure, but it is not void of human emotion or humor.
Abbie Cornish and Ben Wishaw, as our two lovesick romantic leads, are both excellent. Cornish is the virginal heroine that is loyal to her family and her family name, and Wishaw is the respectful but always on the go poet. The two actors have great chemistry, and when they finally kiss about forty-five minutes in, people may sit up and take notes. It's a very sexy film without sex; a nice look back at the art of wooing.
It is also more involving and moving than one might at first expect. Go in expecting nothing, walk out feeling very satisfied and content.
Final Rating: 8/10
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SPOTLIGHTS
