Creative Outlets: BRIGHT STAR By JANE CAMPION

I saw a beautiful film this week, Jane Campion's "Bright Star" a biopic about English romantic poet John Keats' love affair with Fanny Brawne and the writing it inspired. It was as if Campion tried to capture the essence of the beauty and romanticism of Keats' poetry in every frame. The film was stunningly, achingly, stupidly beautiful.

Keats died young and the terrible loss of all he was and he might have become was beautifully realized in the performance of Abbie Cornish. Cornish portrays Fanny Brawne, Keats' muse as a talented, confident, young woman who throws herself into love with Keats. They are a fine pair.

The supporting cast including Paul Schnieder as Keats' somewhat loutish and irresponsible friend Charles Brown are all fine. Campion uses their talents to successfully convey the claustrophobia of of close quarters in the household the Brawnes shared with Keats and Brown and all the troubles that come from too much intimacy.

Fate conspires against Keats and Brawne but beauty remains in their wake.

The rest of the week was taken up with teaching, finishing a play, carving pumpkins and building a better chicken costume.

Hopefully I'll get to PTE next week.