Does the comeback begin here? This morning gave critics their first look at Jane Campion’s Keats biopic “Bright Star” — the director’s first feature in six years, and her first foray into period drama since “The Portrait of a Lady” — and early reactions indicate a genuine return to form.
The New York Times claims there were “few dry eyes” at the press screening of the tragic romance, while Screen International’s Allan Hunter goes so far as to suggest the film “match(es) the haunting intensity” of “The Piano,” which of course landed Campion the Palme d’Or 16 years ago. Like that masterpiece, he thinks this film could also be awards-bound, not least for the lead performances of Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw:
Beautifully crafted in every department from the composure of the camerawork to the precision of the costume and production design, Bright Star is a film to savour. Campion ensures that its pictorial appeal is matched by an emotional engagement thanks to a universally fine cast.
(Cornish) captures all the youthful impetuosity of the English Fanny and portrays her as a young woman trying to maintain control of a life torn apart by all the fresh emotions and new sensations that she is experiencing. It is a performance that should win her awards season consideration and emphatically underlines why she is one of the most highly regarded performers of her generation. Great expectations now also attend the performances of Ben Whishaw and he is equally impressive as John Keats, making the poet an entirely human figure.
I couldn’t be more pleased to hear that Campion is back in some critics’ good books, and I can’t say how excited I am at the possibility of Cornish finally cashing in on her “next big thing” buzz; the Australian blew me away in “Somersault” four years ago, but has never found a vehicle of that standard since. Here’s hoping.
Jeff Wells, meanwhile, is professionally warm but personally cool on the film, stating that it’s “done quite perfectly,” that he has “nothing but admiration for the various elements,” but that ultimately it’s “too damnably refined.” A matter of taste, then, but he reports speculation that the Academy could find it very much to their liking:
A journalist friend told me an hour ago that Bright Star will be Oscar nominated in seven or eight categories because it delivers that particular brand of period romance fulfillment that people of a certain persuasion line up for when movies of this sort play the Royal in West Los Angeles and the Lincoln Plaza in Manhattan.
Overall, then, it looks like another Competition title has passed the initial test. When can we expect the colossal failures, or polarising puzzles, that inspire boos and hisses across the Croisette? It wouldn’t be Cannes without at least one.
Comments
12 responses to “‘Bright Star’ twinkles at Cannes”
So glad to hear this positive response for bright Star.
I am happy with Ben Whishaw getting accolades for this, he is by far the best actor of his generation.
Same here Rose. An actor as talented as Mr Wishaw deserves to be seen more. I really wish that Bright Star bodes well for his career. He obviously seems to be picky with his films but that”s wise of him. His next film will be The Tempest, which is more of an ensemble. Here’s hoping that from the mass of legendary directors gathered at Cannes somebody takes note of his skills and casts him.
I’m really glad, not only for Wisham (Like rose and Ivich said), because since Layer Cake and Perfume he shows range and talent, also for Jane Campion (“The Piano” is simple a timeless masterpiece and one of my favorite movies) and Abbie Cornish (Maybe Mulligan has competition for the young spot). I saw her in “Somersault” and “Candy” (With another equally great Heath Ledger) and she’s talented. I hope this is help to her for her career and forget the scandal Witherspoon-Phillippe.
My wishes for the Oscars to “bright star”:
*Best Picture
*Best Directing
*Best Actor – Ben Wisham
*Best Actress – Abbie Cornish
*Best Original Screenplay
*Best Art Direction
*Best Costume
And maybe:
*Best Supporting Actress – Kerry Fox – Another Underrated actress in my opinion
*Best Cinematography
*Best Original Score – Michael Nyman awfully ignored for his great soundtrack in “The Piano”
YES YES YES!
Way to go, Campion! I’m super-excited about this film now. Hope she’s on form for some awards glory.
*beams*
Excellent, my inner Kiwi is cheering (and anticipating) madly.
Cool I have never been a Champion fan but this movie looked interesting and it appears to be worth a look here is hoping she wins me over.
Being an avid detester of that pseudo-feminist drivel “The Piano,” I surely hope this is an actual great film.
The Portrait of a Lady is one of the most underrated movies of the 90’s. It’s visually striking, and Kidman’s performance was wrongly ignored
[…] the consensus from Cannes was that Jane Campion’s first full-length […]
[…] hands and writing letters. Keats died at 25, unsuccessful and poor, from tuberculosis. Overall the consensus from Cannes was that Jane Campion’s first full-length movie since 2003’s In the Cut was a strong […]
[…] the consensus from Cannes was that Jane Campion’s first full-length movie since 2003’s In the Cut was a strong […]
[…] the consensus from Cannes was that Jane Campion’s first full-length movie since 2003’s In the Cut was a strong […]