bright star.

This afternoon I watched the movie Bright Star. Written and directed by Jane Campion, Bright Star shares the love story between Fanny Brawne and nineteenth-century poet John Keats.

Everything about this movie is beautiful. The setting - the London countryside - is resplendent in every season. The costume is period appropriate and the use of colours and attention to detail is wonderful. The music is just right - strings and some vocals. Of course the actual story is magnificent as well - even more so because it is true. Overall, for about two hours you feel captivated and fully involved in a story, a mark of success for a film.

I highly recommend it. And, if you read poetry, like I've been trying to do recently, pick up a book of Keats' work. It is romantic and sweet and lovely all at once.

See, for instance, this excerpt from his poem Isabella; or, The Pot of Basil

And she forgot the stars, the moon, and sun,

And she forgot the blue above the trees,

And she forgot the dells where waters run,

And she forgot the chilly autumn breeze;

She had no knowledge when the day was done,

And the new morn she saw not: but in peace

Hung over her sweet Basil evermore,

And moisten'd it with tears unto the core.