- Film:
- Christine Jeffs
Reviewed by: David M. Brown
- Rating:
- 3
Summary:
Sylvia isn't a bad biopic of the turbulent relationship and marriage of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes but the distinct lack of substance, especially with the characters leaves this feeling somewhat lacking.
More DetailsAbout Sylvia (2003)
A literary drama based on the real lives of two of the world’s most famous poets, Sylvia Plath (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) and Ted Hughes (Daniel Craig). The story begins at Cambridge University in the 1950s, where the two young poets meet at a party and fall passionately in love. They marry and move to the US, where Plath has been offered a teaching post, but Hughes’ career is beginning to take off and cracks appear in their marriage as his talent begins to overshadow hers, and she finds it increasingly difficult to continue writing. They move back to the UK where they have two children, but when Hughes is unfaithful to Plath, she is bitterly jealous and angry; emotions that cause her to write some of her most brilliant poetry. Finally, the dark feelings take over and she commits suicide. The supporting cast includes Paltrow’s real-life mother, Blythe Danner, as Sylvia Plath’s mother.
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Craig, Amira Casar, Alison Bruce, Blythe Danner
Directed by: Christine Jeffs
Runtime: 110 minutes
Studio: Universal Studios
Amazon USAmazon UKIMDBReview: Sylvia
Christine Jeffs’ biopic of celebrated poet and writer, Sylvia Plath, tells the true story of her relationship with her lover and later husband, Ted Hughes. Sylvia (Gwyneth Paltrow) first meets Ted (Daniel Craig) at Cambridge University in 1956 and there is mutual affection between them and not just from a love of poetry and words. It seems a perfect relationship and the two soon marry. However, these two talents begin to see their marriage crack under the strain of Hughes’ womanising and Plath’s difficult struggle with depression.
At the outset Ted and Sylvia are an ideal match. Ted thrives earlier with his poetry than Sylvia does and when they marry and have children Sylvia finds less time to work on her own writing. They spend their marriage initially in America but soon head back to the UK where the problems mount. When Hughes publishes his first book of poetry the family seem to have an upturn in fortune and Sylvia continues to pursue her own writing but away from Hughes’ fame all is not well. With recognition for Hughes comes interest from many fans. Women surround him and seem more interested in the handsome poet than what he has to say which initially annoys Hughes. However, he is soon staying out late and when he comes home there are unpleasant arguments with Sylvia. Sylvia has struggled with depression in the past and as her marriage falls apart, her writing becomes darker and sadly she begins to contemplate suicide.
Sylvia isn’t a bad biopic of the turbulent relationship and marriage of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes but the distinct lack of substance, especially with the characters leaves this feeling somewhat lacking. The performances are okay and we do get a summary of Plath’s life and marriage but this biopic only leaves one feeling like they have just touched the surface rather than got to the heart of Plath.
Verdict: 3/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
About the Author:
I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.
David M. Brown – who has written 700 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.
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