Surprising such a talented director could put out such an unwatchable film. The one star I granted it is for fast-forwarding to enjoy looking at Paul Schneider, the only sign of life in the whole thing. Did anyone do screen tests before casting? Abbie Cornish's sullen, dead-eyed expression and zero star power, combined with lack of chemistry with Ben Wishaw, doomed it from the start. I was intrigued at one point by an a cappella version of Mozart's Serenade in B Flat; unfortunately that was also horribly done. How ironic that the love affair of a romantic poet would produce such a passionless yawn of a film.

When watching Jane Campion's affectionate account of the final months of John Keats's brief life I could not but ponder on the precariousness of human existence even at such relatively short time ago as the early years of the nineteenth century. Ahead were those advances in medical science that certainly have enabled this octogenarian to watch several hundred wonderful films rather than a small handful. It is the ephemeral nature of experience that tugs at the heartstrings, a romance with everything going for it, cut short because a cure now available simply was not there. "Bright Star" lovingly conveys the "carpe diem" of the all too brief relationship of the young poet with his very near neighbour, Fanny Brawne. Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish instinctively express the emotions of an affair they know to be all too short in a way that reminds that great romantic cinema is far from dead. As if this were not enough, Campion's work is terrific on period detail. A shot very near the beginning depicting a Hampstead village landscape with white sheets of washing flapping in the foreground is breathtakingly beautiful. And this just one of many. There are moments of exquisite tenderness such as the scene where Keats comments on the rosebud complexion of Toots, Fanny's much younger sister. We are never far from the poetry itself which is oft-quoted even to the extent of providing a background to the final credits thus rendering the usual rushed exit from the half lit "dream palace" all but impossible. There is a moment shortly towards the end when Fanny, hearing of Keats's death collapses in a paroxysm of grief. As moving as similar moments in the work of such masters as Satyajit Ray and Hou Hsiao-Hsien, this places Jane Campion's film on the highest level.

This movie was spectacular and enchanting. I watched it at night ,and wondered in the morning if I had had the most beautiful dream. It is a very dreamlike film; lots of gardens, flowers, butterflies, and poetry. As for the actors, Abbie Cornish is lovely, but her accent is sometimes a bit unrealistic, but otherwise she suits her role. The actor who plays Keats himself is wonderful. I would highly recommended this to anyone of any age. I would imagine this to be a very good 'breakup movie'! I cried half of the time. Not because it was sad, but because their love was so clear and they were so deeply made for each other! This movie was so, so beautiful! I can't get over how good it was. I'll definitely be watching it many more times. I now have much more understanding and appreciation of Keats' poetry and the meaning behind it.

Just saw this movie and can't stop myself to add this review. One of the best movie I have seen till date. Fanny (Abbie) has done a wonderful role of "Fanny". I liked Ben's role in "Perfume" but here he has really given his best as "Keats".Congratulations Jane Campion and all others involved here for showing us... emotions of love in a very beautiful way. The direction was superb as in one scene where the wind is blowing the curtain in her bedroom, the colors, costumes were awesome and good to watch.I wish to remember these lines ever...: (1) "A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Its loveliness increases. It will never pass into nothingness."(2)"I almost wish we were butterflies, and lived but three summer days. Three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain."