It co-stars Emma Bell as young Dickinson, Jennifer Ehle, Duncan Duff, and Keith Carradine.

Emily’s upbringing in Massachusetts’ Puritan/Congregational world is evident from the start, when she stands up to a Mount Holyoake Female Seminary school mistress (Miss Mary Lyon).

Emily convinces her father to ask his friend Dr Holland, editor of the Springfield Republican, to publish her poems.

Austin is offended by Emily’s observation that gender issues ought to be considered in a similar light to slavery.

Diagnosed with “Bright’s Disease”, a kidney ailment, her health deteriorates with back pain and grand mal seizures.

On 10 September 2012, it was announced that Cynthia Nixon was set to play Emily Dickinson in a biopic directed by Terence Davies.

"[10] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 78 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Richard Brody of The New Yorker called it a "masterwork" and stated that the film would "take its place as one of [Davies'] finest creations".

The Washington Post wrote: "Davies is a master of the slow build, lyrically evoking both the dreaminess and gravity of his subject and her verse".