MovieChat Forums > Bright Star (2009) Discussion > AMAZING Cinematography

AMAZING Cinematography

posted 15 years ago by nmsoccer06
18 replies | jump to latest

Wow- What a snub by the Oscars! There were so many breathtaking and lasting images in this film. Not only did they miss out on nominating Abbie Cornish for Best Actress, they should have nominated the film for Best Cinematography. Just a few of the notable examples-

Brawne lying in bed, as a breeze lifts the curtain as she gazes out the window
Keates lying on a tree top
Brawne following Brown following Keates in the barren field during the rainy day
The entire butterfly scene

Such a great movie! Beautiful art direction. xx

~I Wanna Spanko James Franco!~

[–] aGuiltySoul 15 years ago

Ain't it the truth. Kinda makes you question what the Oscars are really about, doesn't it?

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

[–] tigerbos 15 years ago

Yes the cinematography was outstanding. It's sad that it was not nominated!

I think she's the saddest girl ever to hold a martini.

[–] laura-827 15 years ago

I agree, this film is stunningly beautiful. I've never seen anything like it. I saw this 8 months ago, and I can still recall my favorite images. This film astonished me.

[–] green-eyed-lady29 15 years ago

I completely agree with everything the OP said. My favorite image was when the camera showed them holding hands. Hers were fair and delicate and his fingers were covered in ink. So beautiful.

Every time you vote Republican God kills a kitten

[–] laura-827 15 years ago

Oh, yes, thank you for reminding me of that, Lady.

I remember less images than before, I think it's time for me to rent it again from Netflix. This time I'm going to do some image captures.

[–] sydneycarton006 14 years ago

Its on INSTANT!!!! YAY!

let the world change you, and you can change the world

[–] cindichat 15 years ago

This movie was on Starz on Demand so I watched it tonight. I was awestruck by the beautiful scenes. I loved all the ones you mentioned here. Another favorite was when Fanny (wearing a dark blue dress) and her sister and brother were walking in the field of pretty purplish blue flowers and Fanny sat down on the ground and read a letter from John Keats. Then she laid down on the ground. I found a movie still of the scene when she's reading the letter and made a desktop background.

That scene when she was sitting on the bed and the curtains were billowing out from the breeze...it was so real and dreamy. I felt like I could feel the breeze and smell the scent of linen in the air.

I keep thinking about the movie and how heartbreaking the end was. I think I will watch it again soon.

[–] ExPresidents 15 years ago

You are a very rad person. Seriously. The scene with Brawne following Brown following Keates? AMAZING, and I thought I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO NOTICED IT. And the butterfly scene? Absolutely mesmerizing, as was the dialogue by Fanny.

But my favorite scene? By far it was the one where Fanny and Keats are holding hands and kissing while they follow Toots, and Toots would turn around and they would pause, and then she would turn back around; then they would do it all over again, trying to stay still. It was perfect. God, that scene made me love the human race again. And I mean that, too.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] aGuiltySoul 15 years ago

Filming took place during the Spring of 2008 entirely on location in Bedfordshire, England; with the exception of one day's shooting in Rome.

The Hyde House estate near Luton was used as the main location. Its natural gardens were used to simulate the heaths of Hampstead. The two houses on the property were stand-ins for the house Brown shared with the Brawnes, and the cottage, where the Brawnes originally lived.

Hyde House was the first location that was scouted for the film’s setting. Upstairs in the main house, the crew found an old photograph of a family walking out of the local pub, called Bright Star.

Read more at Suite101: Fun Film Trivia from Jane Campion's Bright Star: Behind the Scenes on the Romantic Drama Starring Abbie Cornish http://romantic-films.suite101.com/article.cfm/fun_film_trivia_from_jane_campions_bright_star#ixzz0thcL364s

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

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] aGuiltySoul 15 years ago

I imagine the heath is open to the public, but the house would be another thing. However, the actual house where Keats and Fanny lived is definitely open. The city of London encorporated the area long ago. The house is now called Keat's House and its Hampstead Heath has also been preserved. http://www.keatshouse.cityoflondon.gov.uk/

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

[–] Evanesco 15 years ago

It was gorgeous. A lot of those scenes will last with me for years.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Hampsteader 15 years ago

I finally got to see this film tonight, having missed it when it was playing at the cinema. I have to agree with everyone's comments - the cinematography was outstanding.

Having lived in Hampstead for many years, and having spent many a day wandering the hills and ponds of the heath, I thought I was going to be disappointed, knowing that it wasn't actually filmed on Hampstead Heath or at the actual house on Keats Grove in Hampstead village -- but the skills employed in filming outshone any of my doubts. It was beautiful.

I believe most of the outdoor/heath shots were filmed on the Ashridge estate- a National Trust property that is a lovely for walking and rambling. (If you enjoy days out walking, take a train from London to Tring in Hertfordshire- and walk there via the Ivinghoe Beacon or the pretty village of Aldbury. May is probably best if you want to see bluebells in blossom.)http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-ashridge

The house is in one of the loveliest parts of Hampstead on Keats Grove just off Downshire Hill, London NW3 - open to the public most days. It's only 5 minutes from the heath as well. http://www.keatshouse.cityoflondon.gov.uk/

I am currently living abroad and miss this part of the world very much. If you are a fan of this movie and have the chance to visit the UK it's worth a trek to see the "real thing".

[–] thebankteller01 15 years ago

Brawne lying in bed, as a breeze lifts the curtain as she gazes out the window

That shot plus the soundtrack = euphoria.

Other scenes weren't as pretty though.

[–] yesterdaysnotover 14 years ago

It was one of the most visually stunning films I've ever seen. Some of the still photos from the film are just breathtaking. This has been my desktop wallpaper for quite a while.

http://www.entertainmentwallpaper.com/images/desktops/movie/bright_sta r09.jpg

Talk about vivid! The colors are beautiful and the people are beautiful. This helps me in the smallest way have an insight to how John Keats saw the world, as something so colorful and meaningful, anything but mundane. It takes me away from my gray, suburban reality for a few hours and into a world of whimsy and infinite beauty.

"Memories like spies, the salt betrays my eyes again." -Turpentine, Brandi Carlile

[–] cindichat 14 years ago

That is my desktop wallpaper too (without the words)! Dreamy picture.