The light is subdued and golden. The air has a chill but warmth at the same time. I was ready to be taken back into a time. To live as another did for just a little while. Not knowing that such a film was playing, I stumpled upon Jane Campion's new movie Bright Star.
It unfolded like a poem. Not surprising since it's topic had to do with that of John Keat's and his tender amour Fanny Brawne. I related to Fanny very well. She was a queen of the domestic arts. She constantly sewed and embroidered, her sweaters were incredible, and she knew her heart and persuded it, those feelings for John.
I had studied Keats in school and he left me cold. I couldn't relate to his poetry. I thought it was rather fluffy. Is what was lacking was Fanny Brawne. Campion brilliantly intertwines their love into his poetry and then it becomes clear that his poems are the mirror of his heart. In fact, some of Keat's most beautiful poems were inspired by his love for Fanny. Sadly, he died at the age of 25 and Fanny for the remainder of her life walked the heath reciting his poems.
The movie is a complete package with stunning photography,beautifully hallow music, and costuming to warm the heart. Not to mention they have a cat in the film constantly which resembles my katten.
Jane also shared her process with us. When this movie comes out on DVD, it will sit right next to Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. This is not to be missed if you love period pieces.
(This poem takes on a whole new light after seeing the film. It is his last sonnet.)
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night,
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like Nature's patient sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors –
No -yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,
Pillowed upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever -or else swoon to death.
A Place Like This 
Leave a reply to saganaga Cancel reply