Film Review: Bright Star (2009)

One thing I love about the movies is lurching from one genre to another, [like demented cork in celluloid sea? -Ed]. In the last week I’ve seen Ricky Gervais’ THE INVENTION OF LYING, Johnny To’s Hong Kong gangster flick VENGEANCE starring the charismatic French pop legend Johnny Hallyday, the iconic Melbourne-set ON THE BEACH with Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner, and THE INTRUDER, an early career curio from director Roger Corman starring a young William Shatner as a racist bigot!

And last night I caught BRIGHT STAR, the latest film from the multi-talented New Zealand writer and director Jane Campion. Perhaps best know for her 1993 mega hit THE PIANO for which she won that year’s writing Oscar, she’s back in period film mode after films like HOLY SMOKE and IN THE CUT, and it’s a winner.

Set in London from 1818 it charts the brief yet passionate affair between the Romantic poet John Keats, and his neighbour (and muse) Fanny Brawne [sorry but that is fantastic name -Ed]. His is a major talent which is being encouraged by his friend and mentor Charles Brown, who dislikes the growing attraction between the struggling poet and the creative seamstress [does he also dislike flying kites? ok, i’m done now -Ed]. Miss Brawne is much enchanted by Mr Keats’ poetry and determines to learn and understand the nuances and passionate feelings in his verses, and he in turn finds inspiration from his growing friendship with the feisty Fanny. However, the times dictate that their love affair can’t really progress as the penniless poet isn’t a suitable suitor for the very eligible and beautiful young lady.

It soon becomes clear that Keats is not a well young man, his brother has already died, and as his health deteriorates the affair ramps up as the two young lovers become more reliant on each other. Ultimately the pair are separated when he relocates to Italy, and even though we (probably) all know the facts about his early death at the age of 25 the audience at my screening were sobbing, along with Brawne (Abbie Cornish in an award-winning performance I’m sure), when the sad news is finally delivered.

Cleverly woven around the doomed affair is a secondary story about Keats’ friend Brown’s indiscretions with a young Irish chambermaid which highlights the class differences and morals of the privileged and the below-stairs working class at that time, and the exquisite social graces and customs which governed the lives of those with money. There are also beautiful scenes of lavender fields and snow laden trees for the two young lovers to romp around, and stunning shots of fragile butterflies ‘that liv’d but three summer days’.

BRIGHT STAR worked its magic on me, and full marks go to Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw as Keats for pitch perfect performances (Australian actress Cornish really nails the often difficult posh-end English accent), and special mention must go to the delightful Edie Martin who was an absolute pleasure in her every scene as Fanny’s younger sister ‘Toots’. The lush cinematography and haunting violin and strings-based soundtrack contribute to making this film an ideal ‘date movie’ whether familiar with Keats’ poetry or not. And it you’re not you’ll be rushing out to read more. I certainly did!

MIKE CHILDS

—> Official Website {link}

—> Production scrapbook {link}

—>Guardian review {link}

—> Jane Campion interview {link}

The Other State: Film news and etcetera from New Zealand – June 2009

The Short Film

Six Dollar Fifty Man

Huge congratulations to the team (directors Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland) behind the NZ short film Six Dollar Fifty Man which won a special distinction at Cannes in May. This is only two years after winning the special distinction for the filmmakers previous short Run. Please someone give these guys a real budget – I want to see a feature! link

The Competition

Each year New Zealand’s filmmaking talent is put to the test during the 48 Hours Furious Filmmaking contest. This year’s competition took place over the weekend 8-10 May, with the Grand Final held on the 20^th June. The concept is simple – make the best film possible in only 48 hours. All creative aspects of the film must be created in the 48 hours allotted; even genre and other random elements are provided just before the timer starts to prevent any cheating. Now in its 7^th year, 48 hours has attracted the attention of Wingnut Films (Peter Jackson’s company) who now sponsor it and often enter a team to keep their talent on its toes.

Here is this years winner, Charlotte, from Dunedin based Team Line Men:

Charlotte is the first animated supreme winner. Here is my pick of the past winners. It’s called Jesse McCleod: The Journey from 2004, and has been described as “a friendly tale of family euthanasia”:

You can read more about the competition, and watch all of the previous winners here.

The Woman

This barely makes it as New Zealand news, as it relates to a British film (Bright Star) that premiered in France (at Cannes) starring an Australian (Abbie Cornish) – but it was directed by New Zealander Jane Campion (who lives in Australia). Whew. As with most ex-pat does good products the buzz in NZ was that Bright Star was set to win the Palme D’Or. While the film is receiving rave reviews from some, it also failed to set others worlds alight. One Little White Lies reviewer lists it in the best and worst: “Biggest Disappointment: That Jane Campion’s Bright Star, a turgid, middle-brow exercise in Quality Filmmaking, so successfully hoodwinked the general public.”

Bright Star will open the 2009 Auckland International Film Festival. I may go. I may also skip it and see Brüno which also comes out that day.

The Peter Jackson Empire

Peter Jackson has a lot on his plate – Lovely Bones is still in post-production, his Dambusters remake is still going ahead, and he is producing The Hobbit. This hasn’t stopped him from taking on a new role: leading a ministerial review of the New Zealand Film Commission. Jackson has been a vocal critic of the commission’s funding decisions in years past, this coupled with the brand new CEO might lead to a few positive changes down at the NZFC… {link}

The Film

Taika Waititi’s follow up to Eagle vs. Shark has just wrapped. The Volcano promises to be full of 1980s coming-of-age awkwardness. The buzz? – it’s gonna be ‘mean’. {link}

The Volcano

– Morgan Stewart