The movie takes place in the mid-19th century. There’s something incredibly of that time about Abbie Cornish. The frankness of the performance though feels very modern. It’s a beautiful combination. It made the movie more complicated because of that conflict in the character — what she wanted versus what her times would allow her. The tenderness that the character had the softness was so completely of her. Abbie Cornish isn’t brazen but she has a certain defiance. From the first time that the camera discovers her Fanny I felt that there was an incredible acceptance on her part of what this love was going to ask. And some of it in some ways was beyond her means. And none of it did Keats seem to require. Fanny’s reading of Milton and Shelley didn’t seem to be a requirement of his. It was something that she took on. I felt it was very naive and charming. This was a desire that she had so much so that she flagrantly lied to Brown about having read everybody in a week. She was a neophyte. She was new at poetry didn’t understand poetry. She couldn’t find a way in. But I loved her.

Source: Variety.com

Abbie Cornish has made her mark in edgy, unconventional films such Candy and Stop-Loss, but the 27-year-old Aussie is finding 2009 is turning into her biggest year yet. She’s already drawing raves for her work in Jane Campion’s “Bright Star” (more on that later), but she’s currently spending her days playing Sweatpea in Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated new epic “Sucker Punch.”

Cornish jumped on the phone earlier today to discuss Bright Star, but it was her enthusiasm for Punch which was most apparent. Shooting began in Vancouver last month and Cornish says Snyder’s latest is “seriously, six films in one almost.”

Well, she better get used to media days. Lots of media days. It’s almost mandatory now that journalists describe the Australian actress’s turn in Jane Campion’s acclaimed Fanny Brawne/John Keats biopic as having “Oscar buzz.” Whether that pans out or not is irrelevant – the buzz is more important than the bald guy. Oscars come and go, but you can’t buy buzz. Furthermore, her work actually warrants all the statue chat.

As the maligned and socially imprisoned Brawne, Cornish gives one of those ferocious performances that audiences love to cheer. Her Brawne is a strong, witty and determined proto-feminist, a steel buttercup who only looks like a delicate confection made from milk, butter, and spider-web icing.

Abbie Cornish plays John Keats’ real life love interest, Fanny Brawne, to Ben Winshaw’s Keats in her new sweepingly epic romantic film, Bright Star. So, when MTV News got a hold of the actress, we couldn’t help but wonder if there’s a little bit of Keats living inside her now, too.

Turns out though, she’s more of a TuPac. “Yeah for sure [I'm a romantic],” she said. “I do read and write poetry and lyrics as well. I love music. Music’s a big thing for me. I guess the most contemporary version of poetry would be rap and hip-hop. And I love hip hop. I emcee. I’m a rapper as well.”

Unfortunately, Abbie wouldn’t spit a rhyme or two for us but promises that “next time” she meets up with reporter Josh Horowitz then she just might do it. And, maybe next time she’ll also bring a few of the poems that she says have been written about her by lovers- past, and, perhaps, present.

“Ah yeah,” she responded when asked if she’s ever had a real-life suitor write her romantic poems. But she wouldn’t reveal if one of those suitors include Ryan Phillippe. “Oh, take it easy! Good try though.”

Even when called to show quiet strength, Abbie Cornish brought characteristic gusto to the role of a poet’s muse in Jane Campion’s new film

Ask a question of Abbie Cornish and before she answers, she puts her head in her hands and practically stares through the table.

All those pauses – not to mention Cornish’s sharp features and long, blonde hair – can remind you of Nicole Kidman, who also doesn’t serve up easy answers to an interviewer. They’re both Australian, but at 27, Cornish is more than a decade younger. They both have been tabloid magnets – Kidman for all the reasons you know, Cornish as the gossiped-about girlfriend of Ryan Phillippe, ex-husband of Reese Witherspoon.