In early 19th century England, a young woman is at a social gathering and chances to meet a indebted and struggling young poet by the name of John Keats. Together they form a relationship in which she becomes his muse, and he becomes one of the last great romantic poets before his untimely death at the age of 25. But their romance is not one entirely of wine and roses, and is often marked by argument and time apart. Still it proved to be one of the great love stories of its time as some of Keats' greatest work was reflected in his poetry during the time of their courtship and in the letters he sent his dear Fanny Brawne in the time they were apart . Young actors Ben Whishaw and especially Abbie Cornish shine in the leads and the film is wonderfully drawn together by director Jane Campion who uses color and camera technique to make a beautiful film out of what could have been (and for a short while in the beginning seems like its going to be) a bland period piece.
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