Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Bright Star

With a wet tissue clutched in my palm, a sniffy nose and weepy eyes I've just searched the library catalogue for a biography on John Keats. May I also mention that my chest aches, yes aches from what I'm not sure is a broken heart or sitting cross-legged, three feet from the television and yet leaning ever closer for the past two hours. I have been waiting for ages to see this wonderful movie starring Ben Whishaw (whom I have admired since Brideshead Revisited) and Abbie Cornish, written and directed by Jane Campion. It came out on DVD today (it made a fleeting appearance in Toronto) and like the lovely and thoughtful man that he is, R bought it for me and left it on the counter for me to find when I got in from an all day seminar at the library. Thank goodness he had gone off to work for watching this gloriously beautiful, heartbreakingly painful love story is best done in private. It should take a further three or four viewings before I can keep the sobbing to a minimum. Browsing over the nominations for the Academy Awards, it would appear that there is a single nod for Costume Design. That there isn't more for the acting, cinematography or direction is a travesty in my eyes but I won't bother ruining my evening with a rant. Being that I am now emotionally wrung right out, I'm off to bed with a copy of Keats poetry, rescued from the library's discard bin and a fresh tissue. Good night.

20 comments:

  1. *envious* I managed to miss this at the cinema - I hope I'll be able to see the DVD in due course. And how wonderful of R to buy it and leave it for you - what an absolutely amazing thing to do.

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  2. I didn't get around to seeing this at the cinema and desperately want to! One of my friends works at Blockbuster's so hopefully I'll be able to rent it for free soon!

    It sounds terrific, and emotional, and I love crying at films so I can't wait to see this now! I think you have a perfect husband, Darlene! You are a lucky woman!

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  3. Oh Darlene! I am on tenterhooks waiting for this to reach west Cornwall.

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  4. Just added it to my Netflix queue!

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  5. I've been waiting for this to come out on DVD so I can put it in my Netflix queue. It sounded wonderful, and based on how strongly you reacted to it, it really must be!

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  6. I'm looking forward to seeing this one as well! :)

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  7. Cornflower, Oh my goodness, yes! The little girl who played 'Toots' was quite the scene stealer as well.

    verity, Not only did R buy the movie for me but he left a full page of instructions with drawings on how to work our fairly new television and sound system. I can't stand new technology, it's so confusing!

    Don't miss this movie!

    Rachel, I am a very lucky woman. The fact that R has just booked a golf trip in Maryland with his friends probably had nothing to do with his buying me this lovely movie lol!

    Make sure you have a BIG box of tissue for this one.

    fleurfisher, So you know how I have felt waiting! Why, oh why don't they just release these wonderful movies everywhere...at the same time? Alvin and the Chipmunks has been hanging around at the theatre for ages but great pieces like this...nothing. Sigh.

    JoAnn, Oh good! Do let me know what you think once you've seen it!

    makedoandread, Oh it is! Can you 'save' a movie from Netflix? You will definitely want to watch this one over and over.

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  8. I'm really looking forward to seeing this film. I have my tissues at the ready! From what I've seen it has to be a worthy winner for Costume Design surely?
    Ah, bedtime reading of Keats glorious poetry - you may need your tissues again!

    Jeanne

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  9. Danielle, I've just watched it AGAIN!

    Cottage Garden, The clothing is fantastic, I NEED one of those little shrug sweaters and an empire-waisted gown! Where I could venture dressed like that is another matter.

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  10. What a wonderful surprise. I should drop some hints to my own R :) I missed this when it came out, but your post has convinced me that I *need* to watch this.

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  11. Yes, oh yes! My anglophile daughter and I watched this at a small theatre last Fall and have been eagerly awaiting it's release! Definitely a keeper!
    So glad you enjoyed it!
    Joanne

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  12. A Bookish Space, Oh, a perfect Valentine's Day gift I'd say!

    Joanne, Hurry up and get your copy. R said that the shop he bought mine from only ordered five copies in.

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  13. Just added it to our Lovefilm list. Should be available in a month or so here. Looking forward to it already. K x

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  14. absolutely entchanting.i am still heartbroken.i wondered if it was based on a book but i found out t is original script by jane campion.
    efi(greece)

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  15. Kristina, Let me know what you think once you have seen it!

    efi, Jane Campion is brilliant.

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  16. I really wanted to see this but missed it at the cinema - I will have to rent the DVD. I love both Jane Campion and a good tear-jerker!

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  17. Bloomsbury Bell, You are in for a treat my friend! Wash your face before you settle down to watch this. I learned the hard way that mascara stings if you cry whilst wearing it!!!

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  18. I so wanted to see this at the cinema but somehow never quite got there... its out on DVD soon and is one of those films that I have no hesitation in buying unseen. I just KNOW I'll love it. An interesting book about Keats is Posthumous Keats by Stanley Plumly; a real work of love.

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  19. I had to go back and find your post on this movie---I finally saw it over the weekend and loved it--I sobbed at the end even though I knew what was coming! Now I am also looking in my library's catalog for something by him and his and Fanny's letters, though it seems as though hers to him were destroyed--a pity! I have a library copy of the film so will watch it again this coming weekend before I have to return it. It was so well done!

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