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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Jane Campion's Keats Biopic a Hit In Cannes

The Guardian gives four stars to Jane Campion's latest film, "Bright Star" a period piece exploring mega-genius Romantic poet Keats' doomed--but oh-so-passionate--love affair with his neighbor Fanny in the final years of life. You bet your bonnet I'm going to be seeing this film when it comes stateside.

Keats is one of my absolute favorite poets, although sometimes I find him so brilliant and dense it's overwhelming. On my first trip to London I insisted on a day out on Hampstead Heath, which is as inspiring and poetic as it's cracked up to be, and then a visit to his house, which was surprisingly small and boring, a testament to his vivid imagination. I remember one of my college professors' mourning Keats' early death because he believed the poet would have become a novelist and playwright as well and left us with some unforgettable major works had he lived.

As for Campion, I'm not familiar with her work but I appreciate her feminist sensibilities. I've long been intrigued by her "Portrait of a Lady" because of its cast (Viggo as Caspar Godwood, John Malkovich as Osmond!) and may have to netflix that, stat!

2 comments:

  1. Oh, I can't wait to see this!

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  2. Thanks for the heads up! I'm a huge Keats fan. I saw "The Piano" by her which was uhhh....disturbing on quite a few levels. Also- really early Anna Paquin!
    Might have to pick up a Portrait of a Lady. Though it's a little scary since I love that book. Could Kidman really be Isabel Archer? Really? Whereas Daniel Day-Lewes is Definitely Newland Archer.

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