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John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) exchange love letters during Keats’ writing retreat on the Isle of Wight.
Curator’s notes
A lovely sequence in which Keats and Fanny declare their love for each other. After quarrelling with Keats prior to his departure for the Isle of Wight, Fanny is exhilarated by his confession of love. Though separated by physical distance, Fanny and Keats are united spiritually by sharing their thoughts and feelings via the written word.
Cinematographer Greig Fraser subtly warms the imagery as this sequence progresses. Cold and grey when Fanny receives the first letter, Fraser’s visuals take on a golden glow as she confesses her love for Keats. The butterfly imagery is a poignant metaphor for Keats’ tragically short life and the brief time he spent with Fanny.
