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Bright Star

Play trailer Poster for Bright Star PG,  2009,  1h 59m,  Drama/ Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 83% 173 Reviews Tomatometer 69% 10,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
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.
Bright Star

What to Know

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 May 20, 2022
Manages to bottle the fleeting feeling of spring bliss. Go to Full Review
Deborah Ross The Spectator Aug 30, 2018
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. Go to Full Review
Ed Koch The Atlantic Jan 17, 2018
Wonderful attention is paid to detail, including clothing, furniture and highly-stylized behavior. What is missing is emotion. Go to Full Review
Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) Jan 30, 2026
Their initial flirtation is shockingly modern with its verve and sass, while the chemistry between Whishaw and Cornish buzzes with erotic electricity. Go to Full Review
Philip Bagnall Loud and Clear Reviews Sep 19, 2024
4/5
Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw dazzle in Bright Star, Jane Campion’s sumptuous tale of a simple romance that inspired great art. Go to Full Review
CJ Sheu Review Film Review Nov 9, 2021
Everything is simple and understated, allowing the big moments their space. ... [Whishaw's] line readings are disastrous. ... Cornish is a revelation[.] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Han W Feb 13, 2019 Cool costumes and cinematography in some instances but other than the scene of the guy from Parks and Rec doing a monkey dance this movie was super boring. See more
Theodore W Dec 16, 2018 I liked it. Interesting look at the life of John Keats.
Han S Nov 6, 2018 This film was terrible.
Hermione W Jun 12, 2018 Beautiful. This movie's performances, script and direction are understated as they are wonderful.
Anakin S Dec 12, 2017 Absolutely amazing portrayal of a beautiful romance that is perfectly written to be factual and narrative.
Hermione P Feb 7, 2017 The story of the romance between 19th-century English poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne. This is a very gentle, beautifully shot film. I've had a love of Keats' poetry since I was a teen, so yeah, I love this film. See more
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Bright Star

My Rating

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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) (L-R) Ben Whishaw as John Keats and Abbie Cornish as Fanny Brawne in "Bright Star." 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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