Bright Star is a 2009 film that retells the life and love of legendary poet John Keats, who died at the age of 25. The film was written and directed by Jane Campion, and it stars Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish. The film made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival and is schedule to be released in the U.S. in Fall 2009.

Bright Star reflects on the short, yet passionate, love affair of one of history's most famed poets. Set in London in 1818, a secret love affair develops between John Keats, the 23 year old English poet and Fanny Brawne, the girl who lived next to him and an forthright student of fashion. An unlikely pair and starting at odds with each other. He though her a stylish minx and she is not impressed with literature, they come together.

During the illness of Keats’ younger brother, Fanny does her best to help. Keats is touched by this and agrees to teach her poetry.

Then their relationship is realized by Fanny’s mother and Keats’ best friend who are troubled by it. But by then the relationship cannot be stopped as the couple are totally and deeply absorbed in each other. The young lovers are swept up in their great love for each other. Keats writes to her,”I have the feeling as if I were dissolving”. Even as troubles surround them, their love withstands and stays strong. Only Keats’ fatal illness proves undefeatable.

Tragically, Keats becomes stricken with tuberculosis in 1820. He dies a short time later in February 1821. Keats' final poem is entitled, "To Fanny." http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bright_star

Bright Star was honored with an Oscar nomination by the 2010 Academy Awards. The Academy Awards will air on March 7,2010. Bright Star was nominated with the following nomination:

• Costume Design - “Bright Star” Janet Patterson

• Ben Whishaw as John Keats

• Abbie Cornish as Fanny Brawne

• Thomas Sangster as Samuel Brawne

• Kerry Fox as Mrs. Brawne

• Samuel Barnett as Joseph Severn

• Samuel Roukin as John Reynold

• Paul Schneider as Charles Armitage Brown

"For all the exquisite cinematography and fine performances, Bright Star remains curiously unaffecting." — Jonathan Crocker http://www.littlewhitelies.co.uk/blog/cannes-2009-day-3-gut-punched-by-cannes-harshest-film-yet/

"A solid but decidedly unexciting rendition of John Keats' final years, Campion's period piece avoids pitfalls of the biopic genre but doesn't offer deep insights about Keats as a unique figure, resulting in a rather restrained and detached arthouse film." — Emanuel Levy http://www.emanuellevy.com/search/details.cfm?id=13437