There are always debates about the accuracy of movies that are based on real events or real people. One such movie is Bright Star, which is a romantic drama based on the relationship between the famous English poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne.
The movie, directed by Jane Campion, was released in 2009 and stars Ben Whishaw as Keats and Abbie Cornish as Brawne. It depicts the love story between the two and how their relationship was cut short due to Keats’ untimely death at the age of 25.
But the question remains – Is Bright Star true? Does it accurately depict the relationship between Keats and Brawne?
Well, like most movies based on real events or people, there are some aspects of the story that are true, while others have been embellished for dramatic effect.
For instance, it is true that Keats and Brawne were in love. They met in 1818 when Keats moved into a house next door to Brawne’s family home in Hampstead. The two fell in love despite their different backgrounds – Keats was a struggling poet from a working-class family while Brawne was a fashionable dressmaker from an upper-middle-class family.
However, some of the details of their relationship depicted in Bright Star have been exaggerated or altered for dramatic effect. For example, in the movie, there is a scene where Keats recites his poem “Bright Star” to Brawne while they lie together on a blanket under a tree. While it makes for a romantic moment in the movie, there is no evidence to suggest that this ever happened in real life.
Similarly, some of the dialogue between Keats and Brawne has been invented by screenwriter Jane Campion to add emotional depth to their relationship. While we can never know exactly what they said to each other behind closed doors, some of the conversations depicted in the movie are purely fictional.
That being said, Bright Star does capture the essence of Keats and Brawne’s relationship. It shows how they were deeply in love despite the obstacles they faced, and how their love for each other inspired some of Keats’ most famous poems.
In conclusion, while Bright Star may not be entirely accurate in its portrayal of Keats and Brawne’s relationship, it does capture the spirit of their love story. It is a beautifully crafted movie that pays tribute to one of England’s greatest poets and his muse.
