tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post5624208474981302543..comments2024-01-21T11:18:54.087-05:00Comments on Lost in the Movies: Bright StarJoel Bockohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-43296701002916052882010-03-06T10:40:42.636-05:002010-03-06T10:40:42.636-05:00Indeed Joel, I do believe it to be greater than yo...Indeed Joel, I do believe it to be greater than you initially allow here, as it does require time to wash over you, with its exquisite arsenal of artistry and deep emotions. I didn't find that it sagged in the middle at all, and was uninformed on those proposed cliches. It's a film of textures and small nuances that elevate it far above conventional period pieces, and as it's about the tragic death of the greatest poet after Shakespeare who wrote in English, there's a timeless poignancy here that's even more persuasively conveyed with the superlative performances throughout. There are some magnificent set pieces too, like the letter scene in the field of purple flowers. I think time will place this above THE PIANO even, as Campion's greatest film.<br><br>Of course, as always, your work here is top-drawer, that can hardly be denied.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-60136657729341448442010-03-06T13:04:52.267-05:002010-03-06T13:04:52.267-05:00Fair points - as I suggested above, I don't wa...Fair points - as I suggested above, I don't want to dismiss the film, or even its middle just yet. I didn't necessarily watch it under ideal conditions - it was late, and I'd just watched another, very different movie - and as you say, it seems like the kind of film that sinks in slowly and may take more than one viewing to fully appreciate.<br><br>That said, by cliches I meant that I had seen many of the devices the film uses in other, similar films - this does not mean they can't be effective, just that Campion runs the risk of giving her work a familiar quality. Perhaps on further viewings I will feel she's transcended the trappings of the period piece; at any rate, I'm sure she's aware of this risk and runs it anyway, as she did with The Piano.<br><br>Enjoyed reading your review in preparation for my own, by the way.MovieMan0283http://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-54461003112602936142010-03-12T09:32:34.233-05:002010-03-12T09:32:34.233-05:00A friend warned me against this film, saying "...A friend warned me against this film, saying "I was so bored. Nothing happens!" But to me, everything happens. I admired Campion's bravery is staying true to these two proud, sensitive spirits, where worlds of intense emotion are conveyed between them by a look, a word, a certain costume chosen, silences as sensual as an embrace. Brava Jane! for understanding them so well. And the secondary characters are almost as good as the principals. Brown is downright juicy in his flamboyant outrageousness. (A little homoeroticism, anyone?) The only place I could find where Campion flinched from the full truth was in the last scene--Fanny did indeed wander the moors in black, after Keats' death;but it was madwoman's black rather than beautiful flowing black. And the real Fanny had cut all her hair off.Margaret Benbowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981723531235779155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-66117299171123359672010-03-18T19:15:08.422-04:002010-03-18T19:15:08.422-04:00It's strange, though I like it much more than ...It's strange, though I like it much more than you I agree with most of what you say. If there's anything I disagree with you on fully it's on who gives the best performance: Ben Whishaw completely floors me as Keats, though I really can't say why. It's my favourite of Campion's works (only saw The Piano and Portrait, though)Andrew: Encore Entertainmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01104647944747041277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-55747713112999522402010-03-18T19:53:37.700-04:002010-03-18T19:53:37.700-04:00Don't get me wrong - Whishaw was excellent, as...Don't get me wrong - Whishaw was excellent, as was Cornish. For some reason though I liked Schneider best. Maybe I've just been the third wheel too often and could relate!MovieMan0283http://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.com