MovieChat Forums > Bright Star (2009) Discussion > Ben Whishaw is Stunning in this Film

Ben Whishaw is Stunning in this Film

posted 12 years ago by newyorkismyfriend
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I just saw this film on DVD and I'm embarrassed that I did not see it when it came out in theatres. While a little slow in the last half, I thought the tempo was appropriate for the material and genre. But I thought Ben Whishaw's performance was one of the best I have seen from a young British actor in a long time. Nuanced, real, affecting. Jane Campion has a great way with actors (I noted one topic on the board mentioned how bad the acting was - I have to respectfully disagree, the thing about Campion is she tends to push her actors beyond the obvious choices and I think that is the case here). Beautiful, made me want to go and read Keats, which is what I will do now.

[–] aGuiltySoul 12 years ago

I daresay this film has driven scores of people to read Keats. I know it did for me. I had read him in school, which was so without appreciation by both the students and the teacher as to kill any further exploration. Until this film.

I agree that Jane Campion is a sterling director. I won't even get into the subject of living in a time where she does so few projects. And where one such as this has gotten so little respect.

BUT Ben Whishaw is arguably the best actor working today, a chameleon, shifting to become whomever the film requires, yet retaining his essential vulnerability. (He's in the new James Bond film.) He obviously thrived under Campion's guidance, but he is a wonderful, wonderful actor. Always.

"I'd never ask you to trust me. It's the cry of a guilty soul."