Don’t forget to bring tissues!


I’ve attempted to see Bright Star twice now, but I finally managed to see it last night.  Mister and I were a few minutes late for it last week, so we decided to go see something else instead.  I’m glad we didn’t stay and miss the beginning because the opening sequence is gorgeous.

I called one of my friends at the last minute to go to it with me.  Unless your husband is a big fan of slow, Period romances I would suggest leaving him at home for this one.   This is a lot more plaintive than the run-of-the-mill Jane Austen story.  I loved it, though. 

The story is about John Keats, the poet, and his romance with Fanny Brawne.  It’s a beautiful movie, well-acted, and Fanny’s clothes are the cutest you will ever see in a Regency film. 

The phrase on the movie poster says, “first love burns brightest”.  That may or may not be true, but it certainly applies to John and Fanny.  Here’s one of his letters to her:

25 College Street

My dearest Girl,

This moment I have set myself to copy some verses out fair.  I cannot proceed with any degree of content.  I must write you a line or two and see if that will assist in dismissing you from my Mind for ever so short a time.  Upon my Soul I can think of nothing else – The time is passed when I had power to advise and warn you again[s]t the unpromising morning of my Life – My love has made me selfish.  I cannot exist without you – I am forgetful of every thing but seeing you again – my Life seems to stop there – I see no further.  You have absorb’d me. I have a sensation at the present moment as though I was dissolving – I should be exquisitely miserable without the hope of soon seeing you.  I should be afraid to separate myself far from you.  My sweet Fanny, will your heart never change?  My love, will it?  I have no limit now to my love – You note came in just here – I cannot be happier away from you – ‘T is richer than an Argosy of Pearles.  Do not threat me even in jest. I have been astonished that Men could die Martyrs for religion – I have shudder’d at it – I shudder no more – I could be martyr’d for my Religion – Love is my religion – I could die for that – I could die for you.  My Creed is Love and you are its only tenet – You have ravish’d me away by a Power I cannot resist: and yet I could resist till I saw you; and even since I have seen you I have endeavoured often “to reason against the reasons of my Love.”  I can do that no more – the pain would be too great – My Love is selfish – I cannot breathe without you.

Yours for ever

John Keats

*Sigh* Where was I?  Oh, yes.  If you like a passionate yet restrained romance, don’t miss Bright Star.



P.S. I read all my letters and pay my bills in a field of bluebells.  Don’t you?
| Filed under Entertainment

7 thoughts on “Don’t forget to bring tissues!

  1. I always wish I wasn't such a cynic neanderthal. I can't watch movies like this and like them. My sisters in-law get together and have these A&E marathons and watch period classics non-stop. I show up for the food and then fall asleep.

  2. Loved it. 'a thing of beauty is joy forever'..ahh…They did a good job with the romantic angst.

    Speaking of movies….Have you seen Whip It yet?

  3. Dear Omgirl,
    Please invite your mother.
    ———————–

    And Jennie, of COURSE I read and write while sunk in native greenery (as the servants at home take care of the housework). Only with me it's sagebrush, weeds and stickers.

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