Jane Campion’s Bright Star is a delicate and touching ode to an inspirational artist and the muse he fell in love with.

The artist is renowned poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw), who was one of the key figure of the Romantic movement, yet at the time was constantly slammed by critics, with lack of book sales leaving him penniless.

The muse is Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish), a seamstress whose colourful threads counters Keats’ dour clothing, and whose sharp tongue quivers at the sound of Keats’ words.

Campion plays out this gentle courtship with grace and civility, its strong emotional undercurrent giving way to some truly heartfelt outbursts of grief and love.

Marriage is always on their mind, yet money is always a problem: Keats doesn’t have any. With no marriage, comes no sex, and the sexual tension between Cornish and Whishaw is palpable, making Bright Star perhaps the most provocative film of the year, with not a thread shed.

Campion’s desire is to press the power of the written word. Problem is, there is a pretentiousness in poetry that will keep some at arms length. Fanny certainly doesn’t understand it, and neither will some of its viewers.

Yet love is felt by all, as is jealousy, which is here exemplified by Keats’ friend and writing partner Charles Armitage Brown (Paul Schneider), who looks upon Brawne as a distraction rather than a source of Keats’ creativity.

The emotions found in Bright Star are raw and passionate, and are magnificently presented in the most simplest and natural moments. The photography by Greig Fraser is superb, capturing the natural splendour of its Bedfordshire, England location.

Equally beautiful is Abbie Cornish, who is completely believable as not only a woman enamoured, but also worthy of the words written by one of the most celebrated of poets.