Bright Star

I want to divide all of you reading this post into two groups: those who read John Keats, one of the greatest Romantic poet, and those who haven't. I myself belong to the ignorant second group. But tonight I watched Bright Star, a movie about his love life. What I do fits our frivolous modern spirit, probably to the writer's dismay, that we care more about his love life than his works. Actually there is not much worth watching in Keats' love life in today's tabloid standard. We are fortunately left with his beautiful lines, and actress/actor's impeccable acting.

If you are interested in taking a stab at classic English literature, this is a good chance to try. To follow the conversations in the movie, I suggest you read his poems first, especially Bright Star and Ode to a Nightingale. For those who belong to aforementioned first group, it should be a luxurious pleasure to hear the poems flowing out from the lover's lips, like heavenly music, seeping into our heart.
Just as the poet wrote, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

At the end of the movie, the girl dressed in all black, walking in white snow, crying and reciting Bright Star:
"Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art...."

That scene is after the young poet died at 25. He already said to his lover:
"I almost wish we were butterflies, and lived but three summer days. Three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain."

Indeed, first love burns brightest.