In 1818, high-spirited young Fanny Brawne finds herself increasingly intrigued by the handsome but aloof poet John Keats, who lives next door to her family friends the Dilkes. After reading a book of his poetry, she finds herself even more drawn to the taciturn Keats. Although he agrees to teach her about poetry, Keats cannot act on his reciprocated feelings for Fanny, since as a struggling poet he has no money to support a wife.
Cinematography
Hand-stitched fabrics and wildflower fields shot like paintings.
Costume
Fanny's original designs—Campion's sister actually sewed them.
Acting
Whishaw's Keats: fragile genius with devastating restraint.
Director
Jane Campion
Abbie Cornish
Fanny Brawne
Ben Whishaw
John Keats
Paul Schneider
Mr. Brown
Kerry Fox
Mrs. Brawne
Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Samuel
Claudie Blakley
Maria Dilke
Gerard Monaco
Charles Dilke
Antonia Campbell-Hughes
Abigail
Samuel Roukin
Reynolds
Amanda Hale
Reynolds sister
Lucinda Raikes
Reynolds sister
Samuel Barnett
Mr. Severn
Jonathan Aris
Mr. Hunt
Olly Alexander
Tom Keats
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Campion read Keats's actual letters to her cast aloud before filming. Whishaw wept.
The film's title comes from Keats's sonnet about his 'bright star' Fanny—written in a margin he later ripped out, ashamed of his poverty.
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