Period Drama Actor: Alan Rickman

Last week we lost a very talented actor who portrayed a wide variety of characters in his 69 years. Every Janeite or Period Drama fan will easily recognize our own dear Colonel Brandon from Sense & Sensibility (1995). Here's a look at some of those roles and a bit about the actor's life and some quotes.

Interesting Facts:

Full Name: Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman

Height: 6' 1"

Born: 21 February 1946, Hammersmith, London, England, UK

Married To: Rima Horton, who he met in college in 1965. Alan once said: "She's incredibly tolerant. Unbelievably tolerant. Possibly a candidate for sainthood."

Short Bio: Parents are Bernard Rickman and Margaret Doreen Rose. Has English, Irish and Welsh ancestry. Before becoming an actor, he studied graphic design at Chelsea College of Art and Design and at the Royal College of Art, forming a successful graphic design company, Graphiti, with several friends. He didn't start acting until he was twenty-eight year old. During his time at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, he worked as a dresser for actors. Called stage acting his "first love" and often took breaks from film and television to preform in plays. Lost his short but difficult battle with cancer on 14 January 2016.

Personal Quotes:

"I do take my work seriously and the way to do that is not to take yourself too seriously."

"I approach every part I'm asked to do and decide to do from exactly the same angle: who is this person, what does he want, how does he attempt to get it, and what happens to him when he doesn't get it, or if he does?"

"I don't play villains, I play very interesting people."

~*~

A Few Of His Roles:

Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet (1978 TV Movie)

One of Mr. Rickman's first television roles was as Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet. He looked so young! I tried to find a video clip but alas there are none available on YouTube.

~*~

Obadiah Slope in The Barchester Chronicles (1982 TV Mini-Series) 

Besides Sense and Sensibility (1995) this has to be my second favorite of Mr. Rickman's period drama roles. Obadiah is a slick operator with a pious air who at once makes the viewer laugh and cringe! Below is a few funny scenes that a YouTuber put into a video, the last one with Obadiah falling flat on his behind always makes me laugh!

~*~

Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

I don't really recommend this film but this rather odd version of the classic Robin Hood story is proof positive that Alan Rickman was excellent at portraying bad guys! An interesting happening in this film sees Alan Rickman acting alongside Geraldine McEwan for the second time, the first time being in The Barchester Chronicles.

~*~

Colonel Christopher Brandon in Sense and Sensibility (1995)

This is definitely my most favorite role that Mr. Rickman has taken on. In this film he perfectly captured the kind, gentle and passionate nature of the mature army colonel who finds true love with the passionate Marianne Dashwood. When I think of this adaptation some of the loveliest scenes that come to mind include Colonel Brandon showing his true love for Marianne by putting her needs and the needs of her family above his own needs. Below is a clip of my most favorite Colonel Brandon scene where he reads a poem from Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene to Marianne.

My heart melts into a puddle after viewing this scene! Yes, Alan Rickman is definitely my favoritest Colonel Brandon of all time! And I for one don't mind in the least that Emma Thompson made up a first name for this Jane Austen hero, there is something handsome in the sound of Christopher Brandon! Also check out this short interview from the set of the film.

~*~

A few other roles:

• Voice of Blue Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland (2010) & Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016)
• Professor Severus Snape in eight Harry Potter films (I've never seen them myself but it's one of his best known roles)
• Alexander Dane in Galaxy Quest (an oddball sci-fi flick where he plays an alien)
• Voice of Marvin the depressed robot in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (alongside Martin Freeman and Bill Nighy!)

~*~

His Voice

One of the most interesting and lovely things about Alan Rickman was his unique voice. Here's a recording of him reading Shakespeare's Sonnet 130 in his rich smooth voice (or "dark foreboding tones" as Anne Shirley might say).

~*~

So here's to the incredible Mr. Alan Rickman. You dear sir will be sadly missed. Below is a video clip that made me tear up when I watched it because while writing this post I felt like Marianne in the scene. Thank you our Colonel Brandon! You were a true gem and will never be forgotten.

~*~


What is your favorite Alan Rickman role?

How many of these films have you viewed?

Poetry In Period Dramas Game - Answers

These are the answers to the Poetry In Period Dramas Game from last week. As promised along with the answers I am also telling what the title of the poems and who wrote them. Sorry these answers are up late, it's been an odd day. 

Poems Quoted In Period Dramas:

#1

Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere,

Heaven did a recompense as largely send:

He gave to Misery all he had, a tear,

He gained from Heaven ('twas all he wish'd) a friend.

Period Drama: Cranford (2007)
Poem: Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray

#2

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

Period Drama: Sense and Sensibility (1996)

Poem: Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare

#3

Like the dew on the mountain,

Like the foam on the river,

Like the bubble on the fountain,

Thou art gone, and forever!

Period Drama: Persuasion (1995)
Poem: The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott

#4

Ne is the earth the lesse, or loseth ought,

For whatsoeuer from one place doth fall,

Is with the tide vnto an other brought:

For there is nothing lost, that may be found, if sought.

Period Drama: Sense and Sensibility (1996)
Poem: The Faerie Queen by Edmund Spenser

#5

I have hid my feelings– fearing they should do me wrong,

Saying– doest thou love me? Weeping– I have loved thee long.

What is this? His eyes are heavy– think not they are glazed with wine,

Go to him, it is thy duty– Kiss him– take his hand in thine.

Cursed be the social wants that sin against the strength of youth!

Cursed be the social lies that warp us from the living truth!

Well–’tis well that I should bluster!– hadst thou less unworthy proved,

Would to God– for I had loved thee more than ever wife was loved.

Period Drama: Cranford (2007)
Poem: Locksley Hall by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

#6

 Is love a fancy, or a feeling? 

No.It is immortal as immaculate Truth,

'Tis not a blossom shed as soon as youth,

Drops from the stem of life--for it will grow,

In barren regions, where no waters flow,

Nor rays of promise cheats the pensive gloom.

Period Drama: Sense and Sensibility (1996)

Poem: Sonnet VII by Hartley Coleridge

#7

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees.

The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas.

The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,

And the highwyman came riding--

    Riding--riding--

The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

Period Drama: Anne Of Green Gables
Poem: The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes

#8

No voice divine the storm allay'd,

No light propitious shone;

When, snatch'd from all effectual aid,

We perish'd, each alone;

But I beneath a rougher sea,

And whelmed in deeper gulphs than he.

Period Drama: Sense and Sensibility (1996)
Poem: The Castaway by William Cowper 

#9

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,

Little breezes dusk and shiver

Through the wave that runs forever

By the island in the river

    Flowing down to Camelot.

Four gray walls, and four gray towers,

Overlook a space of flowers,

And the silent isle embowers,

    The Lady of Shalott.

There she weaves by night and day

A magic web with colors gay.

She has heard a whisper say,

A curse is on her is she stay

    To look down to Camelot.

She knows not what the curse may be,

And so she weaveth steadily,

And little over care hath she,

    The Lady of Shalott.

Period Drama: Anne Of Green Gables 
Poem: The Lady of Shalott by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

#10 

Elizabeth Bennet: I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love? 

Mr. Darcy: I thought that poetry was the food of love. 

Elizabeth Bennet: Of a fine stout love, it may. But if it is only a vague inclination I'm convinced one poor sonnet will kill it stone dead.

Period Drama: Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Quote is from the book but is unfortunately not in the 1995 miniseries.

Players Scores:
(High Score was 110 points)
Melody - 90 points
Lady Eowyn - 80 points
Maddie Rose - 80 points
Rose P - 80 points
Emma Jane - 70 points
Sadie - 70 points

Hamlette - 40 points

Poetry In Period Dramas Game

Poetry is quoted frequently in period dramas and sometimes it's such a part of a film that we don't take time to think about the words or who wrote the poems. In this game I've given you lines of poems quoted in period dramas and you have to guess what period dramas they are quoted in. When I post the answers I'll tell you the name of the poems and who wrote them. There's also one quote about poetry to guess. Some poems come from the same period dramas. Have fun and enjoy the lovely words!

To Play: Read the lines of poetry below and guess what period drama they are quoted in. Also guess what film the quote at #10 is from and guess the characters for bonus points! Leave your guesses in a comment. I'll respond with your score. Answers will be posted next Saturday.

Scoring: Ten points for each correctly guessed period drama and five points each for guessing the character names on #10. A high score of 110 points can be earned!

Poems Quoted In Period Dramas:

#1

Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere,

Heaven did a recompense as largely send:

He gave to Misery all he had, a tear,

He gained from Heaven ('twas all he wish'd) a friend.

#2

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

#3

Like the dew on the mountain,

Like the foam on the river,

Like the bubble on the fountain,

Thou art gone, and forever!

#4

Ne is the earth the lesse, or loseth ought,

For whatsoeuer from one place doth fall,

Is with the tide vnto an other brought:

For there is nothing lost, that may be found, if sought.

#5

I have hid my feelings– fearing they should do me wrong,

Saying– doest thou love me? Weeping– I have loved thee long.

What is this? His eyes are heavy– think not they are glazed with wine,

Go to him, it is thy duty– Kiss him– take his hand in thine.

Cursed be the social wants that sin against the strength of youth!

Cursed be the social lies that warp us from the living truth!

Well–’tis well that I should bluster!– hadst thou less unworthy proved,

Would to God– for I had loved thee more than ever wife was loved.

#6

 Is love a fancy, or a feeling? 

No.It is immortal as immaculate Truth,

'Tis not a blossom shed as soon as youth,

Drops from the stem of life--for it will grow,

In barren regions, where no waters flow,

Nor rays of promise cheats the pensive gloom.

#7

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees.

The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas.

The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,

And the highwyman came riding--

    Riding--riding--

The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

#8

No voice divine the storm allay'd,

No light propitious shone;

When, snatch'd from all effectual aid,

We perish'd, each alone;

But I beneath a rougher sea,

And whelmed in deeper gulphs than he.

#9

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,

Little breezes dusk and shiver

Through the wave that runs forever

By the island in the river

    Flowing down to Camelot.

Four gray walls, and four gray towers,

Overlook a space of flowers,

And the silent isle embowers,

    The Lady of Shalott.

There she weaves by night and day

A magic web with colors gay.

She has heard a whisper say,

A curse is on her is she stay

    To look down to Camelot.

She knows not what the curse may be,

And so she weaveth steadily,

And little over care hath she,

    The Lady of Shalott.

#10 

(A period drama quote about poetry, guess characters for extra points!)

Character 1: I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love? 

Character 2: I thought that poetry was the food of love. 

Character 1: Of a fine stout love, it may. But if it is only a vague inclination I'm convinced one poor sonnet will kill it stone dead.

Enjoy!

"Books To The Ceiling..."

I want one! :)

"Books to the ceiling, 

Books to the sky. 

My pile of books 

Are a mile high. 

How I love them! 

How I need them! 

I will have a long beard 

By the time I read them.“ 

— Arnold Lobel

~*~

"To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life. “ 

— William Somerset Maugham

~*~

"Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are." 

— Mason Cooley

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A sign I found at a dollar store. Love the vintage look!

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks

May your heart be as light as a song,

May each day bring you bright, happy hours

That stay with you all the year long.

- An Irish Blessing

And just for a bit of fun, take a look at what I found yesterday: The High Kings in Lego form!

Introduction to The High Kings

The Irish Pub - The High Kings (love the accordion and bodhran!)

Whiskey In The Jar - The High Kings (love the whiskey jars part so seamless and filling the charges up with water part!)
Green Fields of France - The High Kings (don't really like the message behind this song but it's still so neat to see what the Legos get up to!)
Hope these videos made you smile as much as they did me! :-D

My Irish Blessings book and the cute tag from my new Ireland t-shirt.

My St. Patrick's Day celebrations started early when my dad and I went to an Irish themed mystery dinner theater (a late birthday gift for him). We didn't solve the mystery but the buffet dinner was delicious and the whole evening was a lot of fun! 

Today being Sunday I'm wearing green to church, helping with the fours and fives Sunday School class (they are so cute!) and listening to some of my favorite Irish hymns. Monday my family will have our traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner and Irish Cream bars for dinner. I've been enjoying listening to the new Celtic Thunder CD on Spotify too. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!

How are you celebrating St. Patrick's Day this year?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! 

I enjoy the St. Patrick's story and everything Irish so it's always fun to celebrate a little bit. Today I'm wearing green and my "Irish For A Day" pin, listening to my favorite Irish music and eating corned beef and cabbage and delicious Irish cream bars. 

On this lovely day I'd like to share some Irish blessings, prayers and quotes from a lovely book I found recently.   

Irish Blessings:

May joy and peace surround you,

Contentment latch your door,

And happiness be with you now

And bless you evermore.

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

May brooks and trees and singing hills

Join in the chorus too,

And every gentle wind that blows

Send happiness to you.

May you never find trouble

All crowdin' and shovin'

But always good fortune -

All smilin' and lovin'.

Irish Prayers:

Deep peace of the running waters to you.

Deep peace of the flowing air to you.

Deep peace of the smiling stars to you.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.

Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you.

Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.

-An Old Gaelic Prayer

Grand me a sense of humor, Lord,

That saving grace to see a joke,

To win some happiness from life,

And pass it on to other folk.

Here's a couple random facts about St. Patrick's Day:

The word leprechaun comes from the Irish Gaelic word lobaircin which means "small bodied person".

St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in the USA in 1737.

St. Patrick began his ministry in 432 and by the end of his ministry in 460 Ireland was almost entirely converted to Christianity. 

This quote is quite true! hehe

For the great Gaels of Ireland

Are the men that God made mad,

For all their wars are merry

And all their songs are sad.

-G.K. Chesterton

I hope you're having a delightful day! :)

Do you have any special plans for St. Patrick's Day? 

Irish Ballad: The Maid of Culmore

St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching so this week I'll be posting some Irish related posts along with following the Anne of Green Gables Week and Jane Austen Heroine Week. 

This ballad is my latest Irish obsession. I'd heard it before but hearing the version on the newest Celtic Thunder venture Voyage reminded me of how much I love this song. It's a sad song but a very beautiful one! 

The Maid of Culmore
Leaving sweet lovely Derry for fair London town,
There is no finer harbour all around can be found,
Where the youngsters each evening go down to the shore,
And the joy bells are ringing for the maid of Culmore.

The first time I saw her she passed me by,
And the next time that I saw her she bid me goodbye,
But the last time I saw her it grieved my heart sore,
For she sailed down Lough (Loch) Foyle and away from Culmore.

If I had the power the storms for to rise,
I'd make the wind blow out and I'd darken the skies,
I'd make the wind blow high and the salt seas to roar,
Till the day that my darling sailed away from Culmore.

To the bad parts of America my love I'll go see (seek),
For it's there I know no-one and no-one knows me,
But if I don't find her I'll return home no more,
Like a pilgrim I'll wander for the maid of Culmore.

Lough Foyle, County Derry, Northern Ireland

History: Culmore is about two miles from Derry city in the north of Ireland, where the Foyle river widens into Lough Foyle. It was a departure point for emigrants. The song tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a young lady from Culmore but she soon leaves Ireland. The young man finally decides to go to the wild parts of America to find his darling the Maid of Culmore. The song probably dates from the later 1800's and is considered a Traditional Irish ballad although I couldn't find much info about it online.

Maps of Lough Foyle & Ireland (the red square indicates where Culmore is located)

Now let's take a look at some lovely recorded versions of The Maid of Culmore:

Celtic Thunder - This is the version that inspired this post. Celtic Thunder is one of my favorite Irish groups and their new album Voyage is a great compilation of old ballads and catchy new favorites. This version features all five members of the group singing together. I really like this version especially since the song lyrics depict a man singing about the woman he loves. And it has that melancholic feel to the music and in their voices. My only complaint is that the song isn't longer! :)

Cara Dillon - Irish lass Cara Dillon sings a sweet version of the song. This was on her debut album which has just celebrated 10 years. Another of my favorite Irish singers though her super sweet voice took a bit of getting used to. I especially like the videos of her live performances.

Caroline Fraher - I'd never heard of her before but I quiet like her voice. She seems to sing at a lot of private functions.

Piano Version - This young man has quite a few home videos on YouTube and I quite like his version of the song even though the video is a bit shaky

Have you ever heard The Maid of Culmore before?
Which of her video versions is your favorite? 

Very Truly Your's,

Guest Post: Poems by Anne-girl

Anne-girl has very kindly applied her talents to writing a poem in honor of Mr. Dickens' birthday.

Dear Mr. Dickens,

We have a complaint.

Your books are twisty,

As are the plots you paint.

Dear Mr. Dickens,

You make us confused

Your plots batter us,

And our minds feel bruised.

Dear Mr Dickens,

We never get enough,

So please continue

To fill you books with stuff.

Dear Mr. Dickens,

Your characters are many,

But that's better then Hemingway,

He hardly has any.

Dear Mr. Dickens,

Your birthday draws nigh

We sing with a shout,

We sing with a sigh.

For Dear Mr. Dickens

You only have written,

20 books that we know of,

Unless others are hidden.

Anne-girl also wrote three lovely limericks about Charles Dickens characters:

There once was a beadle named Bumble,

Who's boy's would fret and grumble

Till one of them asked

For more, Bumble gasped

And down the stairs that boy he did tumble.

There once was a lawyer named Guppy,

Who went around like a lovesick puppy.

For Esther he sighed,

But she gently denied

That she would marry that lawyer named Guppy.

There once was was a an Aunty named Trotwood

And donkeys stomp over her lot, would.

She told them to shoo

Until she was blue.

But budge they not from her plot would.




Anne-girl is the author of Scribblings of My Pen and Tappings of My Keyboard where she blogs about her creative writings. A clever poet, her witty style can be seen in her Ode to the Key of F Major and A Birthday Ode to Jane Austen.
Anne-girl, thank you so much for very sweetly writing these delightful poems!

Now, dear readers, it's your turn:
Try your hand at writing a limerick or two about your favorite Dickens character! 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

With Thanksgiving tomorrow and Christmas right around the corner, this is the time of year when I really take time to thank the Lord for all of His many blessings. 

Let me share with you some of the things I'm thankful for and a few of my favorite hymns of Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for our Creator God who sent His only Son to take the punishment for my sins. 

By His grace I am forgiven, His mercy never fails.
I'm thankful that the Lord for daily directing my way.

Give thanks to God, for good is He, His grace abideth ever;

To Him all praise and glory be, His mercy faileth never.

His wondrous works with praise record, His grace abideth ever;

The only God, the sovereign Lord, whose mercy faileth never.

-Give Thanks To God, For Good Is He

I'm thankful for the many loving family and friends who surround me. 

I'm very thankful for my special blogging friends. You all encourage and inspire me to keep writing, reading and learning interesting things!

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

He chastens and hastens His will to make known.

The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.

Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

-We Gather Together

I'm thankful to live in a country where my family and I can worship the Lord freely.

I'm thankful to have been raised in a Christian home and to had the privileged of being home schooled.

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;

All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;

Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

-Come, Ye Thankful People Come

I'm thankful that God not only provides everything I need but also delights in giving other good gifts.
I'm thankful for all of the extra blessings he daily bestows.


O render thanks to God above,

The fountain of eternal love,

Whose mercy firm through ages past

Hath stood, and shall forever last.

-O Render Thanks To God Above

We have so much to be thankful for!

Somedays we forget - To look around us

Somedays we can't see - The joy that surrounds us

So caught up inside ourselves - We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for - What we know can be.

And on this day we hope for - What we still can't see.

It's up to us to be the change - And even though we all can still do more

There's so much to be thankful for.

-Thankful

I'm praying that each of you have a very Happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends. 

What are you thankful for this year?

P.S. For more hymns of Thanksgiving check out NetHymnal.org.

Bright Star (2009)

When this film first came out the trailers and Regency era sounded interesting and the trailer showed glimpses of amazing cinematography. But I delayed seeing Bright Star (2009) because I was a bit concerned that it might contain some inappropriate scenes even though it is based on a historical facts. I was very glad when Mel from But when a young lady is to be a heroine posted her Movie Review: Bright Star (2009) because it gave me all the information I wanted and I immediately put it on my To Watch list. I was able to watch this film last month on YouTube and quite enjoyed it.  

I wanted to review this film from a Christian standpoint because I'm sure some of my viewers were curious like me to know whether with film was of interest or not.

Ben Whishaw as John Keats

Story: In 1818 Hampstead, the fashionable Fanny Brawne is introduced to poet John Keats through the Dilke family. The Dilkes occupy one half of a double house, with Charles Brown (Keats' fellow poet and roommate) occupying the other side. Fanny's lively personality contrasts with Mr. Keats' notably more aloof nature but she becomes interested in him after she has her siblings, Samuel and Toots, obtain his book of poetry "Endymion". Despite her efforts to interact with this interesting poet it is only after witnessing her grief for the loss of his brother Tom that Mr. Keats begins to open up to Fanny. Mr. Keats gives poetry lessons to Fanny and they become great friends, but the poor poet is reluctant to pursue her because he has no living and no income. When Fanny receives a valentine as a joke from Mr. Brown Keats is hurt and beings to doubt the purity of her feelings when Brown claims that Fanny is a mere flirt playing a game. Fanny, hurt by the accusations and Keats' lack of faith in her, ends their lessons and leaves. It is not until after the Dilkes move to Westminster that spring, leaving the Brawne family six months half rent in their double house that Fanny and Keats resume their interaction and fall deeply in love. The relationship is strained when Mr. Brown leaves for his summer rental with Keats who hopes to earn enough money to marry. Though Fanny is heartbroken, she is comforted by Keats' love letters, but when Keats becomes ill the following winter it is clear that the couple's relationship is doomed to end in tragedy. This is the true story of famous poet John Keats and the young woman who inspired many of his poems, his own Bright Star. 

Abbie Cornish as Fanny Brawne

Script: Written & directed by Jane Campion, this film tells the true story of John Keats and Fanny Brawne's short lived romance. From what I've read online about John Keats the film seems to be very historically accurate and true to their real lives and personalities. Many selections from John Keats' poems and letters are read aloud and through the scenes the words and ideas hidden in the poems come alive.

Scenes: This film is essentially a piece of art, the cinematography is stunning! Bright colors and scenes are balanced by darker ones. Nature is a huge part of many of the scenes, flowers inside and indoors and even a room full of butterflies make the scenes truly amazing.

Fanny Brawne's Costumes

Costumes: While staying true to the Regency era the costumes add even more to the beautiful cinematography and often plays with the rich colors in the various scenes. Fanny Brawne makes all of her own dresses and her fashions are at times eccentric and perhaps a bit ahead of her time, she even boasts on occasion that no one has as many ruffles as she does.

Music: Composed by Mark Bradshaw, the music is as beautiful as the scenes, costumes and poetry - all playing in harmony together. Most of the soundtrack is played with stringed instruments but there is one lovely piece called "Human Orchestra" that is "played" all with human voices. The official Bright Star soundtrack is a mere nine tracks and half of them also contain poetry being read.

John Keats                                                      Fanny Brawne

Characters & Actors: Most of these actors are new to me but I'd heard a bit about their brilliance and was not disappointed. The characters were very well drawn and easy to sympathize with.

• Abbie Cornish as Fanny Brawne - Fanny, age 18, is a bright, intelligent young woman, independent and passionate. She is devoted to her family and a very talented seamstress. When she reads Mr. Keats' poetry she sees the beauty of his soul and falls in love with him. She is a heroine to rival Marianne Dashwood in her high ideals and romantic mind, when separated from John Keats she falls into a deep depression which takes the life out of her. Abbie Cornish is amazing as Fanny, I could feel every emotion of her heart. 
• Ben Whishaw as John Keats - Creative minded poet John Keats is a quiet young man, not impressed by finery or wealth but greatly respecting people who feel deeply like himself. When his brother dies Fanny's kindness touches him to the heart and he spends Christmas with her family. Although he loves Fanny deeply and lives later in the same house as her family, he always behaves like a gentleman towards her and her family. The beauty of his soul is expressed in his poem and letters which are so stirring when read by actor Ben Whishaw who truly becomes the poet himself. 

Mr. Brown and the Brawne Family

• Paul Schneider as Mr. Brown - Even though Mr. Brown is Keats' closest friend he is also very skeptical of Fanny Brawne's attachment to his friend as dislikes her distracting them from their writing. Mr. Brown is a rough Scotsman and not as much of a gentleman as Keats even though he usually means well. He looks after his friend when his health fails and kindly brings news of Keats to the Brawne family. His one great failing is briefly mentioned, when the Brawne's maid Abigail  becomes pregnant he looks rather sheepish, later he visits the Brawne family bringing the baby and Abigail who is now his wife. Paul Schneider is very interesting in the role and portrayed this conflicted character well.    
• Edie Martin as Margaret "Toots" Brawne - Fanny's youngest sibling is her 9-year-old sister Margaret Brawne who in this film is always called "Toots". She has curly red hair, is sweet, inquisitive and looks up to her older sister. Toots, so simply but charmingly played by young actress Edie Martin, is one of my favorite characters in the film. Like her sister she loves deeply and her good-bye remarks to Mr. Keats set me crying. 
• Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Samuel Brawne - Fanny's middle sibling is 14-year-old Samuel Brawne who is earnest, intelligent and tries to be the man of the family. He greatly admires Fanny but it's hard for him to see her suffer disappointment when Keats' health fails. I've seen young actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster in a few other period set things, his talents added dimension and charm to the character of Samuel. 
• Kerry Fox as Mrs. Frances Brawne - As a widow, Mrs. Brawne is a devoted mother raising her children single-handed. She is kindhearted and sensible and although I did like her I wondered a bit at her letting Fanny become such great friends with poets. I'd never seen Kerry Fox before but enjoyed her in the role.

• Claudie Blakely as Mrs. Maria Dilke - Mrs. Dilke is a great friend of Mrs. Brawne and it is the Dilke's house that the Brawnes and Mr. Brown rent halves of. She's a society lady and a bit of a gossip at times, she introduces Fanny to Keats and helps to advise Mrs. Brawne. Claudie Blakely is a familiar face in period dramas and her role here added some humor and quirkiness.
• Topper as The Cat - Some of my favorite scenes star the Brawne family's black and white pussy cat. I'd never seen a cat in such a prominent and frequent role in a period drama (except for the "Lacy" pussy cat in Cranford) so this was quite interesting to me. Topper the actor cat was purr-fect in the role! :)

Toots and Samuel Brawne

My Thoughts: Films about historical characters are very interesting to me and I so enjoy the Regency time period that the film portrays. I'm not a great reader of poetry but I really loved the way that the poems and bits of John Keats' letter to the real Fanny Brawne were woven into the story and became alive. The characters were very interesting, enjoyable to learn about. I especially had fun researching about these historical people after watching the film. There were some cute and funny moments and a very sweet story. I usually have a bit of a hard time getting into a story if the characters are too intense or wildly romantic, but even though Fanny & Keats relationship is marked by extremes it didn't sappy and I actually didn't mind the "die for love" attitude Fanny had most of the time. This film doesn't end exactly happily and it did make me cry a good deal, but it's a tender story of love and friendship and I think I'd like to see it again.

My Recommendations: This film is "rated PG for thematic elements, some sensuality, brief language and incidental smoking". Fanny & Keats do quite a bit of kissing and holding hands toward the end of the film. Also toward the end of the film there is one scene (pictured above) where the couple say good-bye for what they think might be the last time. John Keats has kept their relationship physically pure (minus the kissing) and even though Fanny tells him she'd do anything for him he refuses. With her family not too far away, the pair lie on the bed and talk. Also, as mentioned above (under Mr. Brown's character), the Brawne's maid is said to be pregnant out of wedlock but later marries the father. For these themes (even though they were done tastefully) I wouldn't recommend this film for younger viewers. This is a beautiful piece of cinematography with interesting historical facts, beautiful music, amazing poetry and gorgeous costumes. This film is a must see for older teens and adults interested in the time period and the historical characters.

For further reading about these historical characters & the film:

John-Keats.com

John Keats Wikipedia Page

Fanny Brawne Wikipedia Page

Bright Star poem Wikipedia Page

Bright Star film page on IMDb

Bright Star Trailer

Have you seen Bright Star (2009)? What did you think of it?

Have you ever read any of John Keats' works? Which are your favorites?