FILM  review: 'Sylvia' reveals poet's marital woes, nothing else

By Lauren Nelson
On-line Forty-Niner

The film, "Sylvia," starring Gwenyth Paltrow as the late poet Sylvia Plath, keeps true to Plath's marital ups and downs, yet fails to show the real Sylvia. The film documents Plath's marriage to adulterous Poet Laureate Edward (Ted) Hughes and the struggles they try to work through.

However, few lines of her poetry are ever mentioned. "The Bell Jar," her only novel, is only spoken of once and with little regard. Her husband's poetry and achievements are noted more than hers are. It is a wonder the film is not titled "Ted."

Anyone who knows anything about the Sylvia Plath knows that she was dark, suicidal, and often considered crazy. The film lightly portrays her in this light while she is struggling with her husband's adultery. It makes Plath look as though her husband was the root of all her problems when in reality they were there before she and Hughes ever met.

Don't be tricked by the opening line: "Dying is an art, like everything else." You may think it is going to be her story, but the film quickly sways from Plath to Hughes.

"Sylvia" may be entertaining for those who enjoy intense dramas and are not looking for a biography of the poet. The poets and their two young children go back and forth between houses in England and America in which they meet few, but interesting people. The film concludes, of course, by Sylvia committing suicide the same way she did it in real life.

For anyone who liked "The Hours" or "The Virgin Suicides," "Sylvia" is the film to see.
Daniel Craig did a great job portraying the part of Sylvia's husband. Someone a little more psychotic than Gwenyth Paltrow should have played Sylvia Plath's character.

Paltrow is too well known and adored to be playing the part of someone who made her own friends nervous. Though Paltrow did an excellent job, it just doesn't help the audience because it is hard for the audience to forget they are watching the gorgeous academy award winner, Paltrow.

The lack of details is hopefully due to cuts that were made in the editing room. The synopsis of the film by the presenter, Focus Features, gives credit to all of the major steps in Sylvia Plath's lifetime. What happened between the blueprints and the final product is unknown and unfortunate.