In this scene of Bright Star, John Keats and Fanny Brawne share a romantic moment in the English countryside. As the film is categorized in the realism genre, natural lighting is used to situate the scene in a realistic setting of early nineteenth century England, reminding the viewers that the film is based on a true story. However, despite its claim to realism, John and Fanny’s moment of intimacy is subtly highlighted with a surreal glow. The strangeness is barely noticeable, as the glow could have resulted from a shift of clouds or fog, yet the director’s decision to manipulate the so-called “natural” lighting is clearly intended to convey the romance of the moment.
Secondly, the camera angle also reveals the filmmaker’s specific intention. The shot is eye-level, placing the audience on the same level as the characters, but it is also a medium shot, keeping the audience somewhat removed from the characters. This creates a space between the characters and the audience, making the moment appear more private but at the same time not excluding the audience. Finally, positioning the characters in the center of the frame emphasizes the presence of the moment. Both John and Fanny are focused exclusively on each other, lost in the countryside that seems to fall away and envelope them simultaneously.
Lastly, color plays a significant role in this scene. The background has a green tint, a color that suggests calmness. However, it is a dull, sickly green, which is troubling. The color of John and Fanny’s clothes, though, is more important. Fanny wears pink, a bright, cheerful color that resembles spring, romance, and new growth. This color stands out from the rest of the subdued colors as starkly as her hope for an unlikely future with John. John’s clothes, on the other hand, are black and dark blue, which strike a foreboding tone in a moment of happiness. These colors foreshadow his premature death and ultimate separation from Fanny.
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ReplyDeleteMegan,
ReplyDeleteYour first paragraph I completely agree with. The author uses natural settings and lighting to emphasize the realism of the movie, but in this particular intimate moment there seems to be a heavenly glow. I quite liked the use of lighting throughout the entire film and found it to be realistic yet dreamy at the same time. It almost gave me the feeling that I was in the midst of one of Keats’ poems.
I also agree that the medium shot removes the audience from the scene, emphasizing that this is a private moment between Fanny and Keats, but it does not totally exclude the audience from the importance of the moment.
However, my personal opinions differ ever so slightly from yours as far as the colors in this scene are concerned. I do not find the color of the trees troubling; I simply see it as a realistic backdrop that allows the main characters to garner all of the attention in the moment. I don’t read as much into the color of the trees as I do the character’s clothing, which I think you explained the importance of perfectly.
Overall you have done a wonderful and very observant post!