With about ten other English Literature interested people I took part in a movie watching event which was the film Bright Star. This film features the three or four years of English poet John Keats' life while he was in love with Fanny Brawne. It has a very melancholy tone overall, at some points crossing over into the "emo" ton we identify with in today's youth culture. It is a BBC movie so the period dress is excellent as well as the actors, though Fanny Brawne's character takes a little time to get acquainted with.
The music in the movie is wonderfully passionate, its captures the emotion of the moment as well as the overarching love story between the Keats and Brawne. Though the entire score lasts just over 23 minutes it has the emotional level of a full length film. That being said...there are a couple pieces within the score that will have listeners questioning the composer's musical ear. Other than that little bit, the music is fantastic! It is especially nice to hear such great composition from a somewhat up-and-coming composer (Mark Bradshaw). He has done other films, but is not as well know as say, Hans Zimmer or Harry-Gregson Williams (Sherlock Holmes and Narnia respectively).
I recommend this film to anyone who has read any of Keats' poetry, or has visited his home, done major Keats' studies, etc., or to anyone who might enjoy a meloncholy, slightly darker-than-usual romantic story line with fantastic costuming and tone. It will be both entertaining and educational, a lot of Keats' poetry is directly worked into the story and integrated with the score, one mirrors the other.
Overall I'd rate this film as 3 out of 5 stars. Definitely see is sometime, but make sure you're in a thinking mood, ready to watch something that might need reflection instead of instant entertainment gratification.
Thanks for reading!
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