masterful piece filmmaking many themes simmering occasionally boiling warts study poets bohemian selfindulgent wartime years span aerial bombardments london outward tranquillity welsh coastal retreat  borderlines friendship lust love dedication art experience versus practical concerns jealousy rivalry cowardice egotism versus heroism selfsacrifice more mature subtle script suggests occasionally brings dramatic focus underlying tensions well served perfect performances apart odd inappropriate smiling keira knightley prone to though perhaps direction time characters often mention it exquisite visual composition moment inventive elegant use closeup camera angle lighting including pointillistic faux home movie footage wonder joy behold continuously beautiful look bertolucci relationships convincing narrative engaging masters work rare type film days  holds attention stirs emotions without abandoning artistic integrity succumbing manipulative superficial shortcuts