I just found out that a movie is currently being filmed, working title Ted & Sylvia, about the lives of the poet couple Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes.
This excites me to no end for a few reasons…
I adore Sylvia Plath’s works. She led an incredibly interesting life, that was ended all too soon. I did a comparitive study of her novel The Bell Jar and her published journals in a highschool english class and loved every minute of my A-worthy research/essay/oral report. (Yes, I was that creepy girl in HS wearing all black carrying around copies of Anne Rice novels and The Bell Jar; I’ve since grown up…a little)
I cannot think of a better actress to portray the emotionally charged role of Sylvia Plath any better than the lovely Gwyneth Paltrow. She is beautiful and incredibly talented. I believe she will do justice to the role.
I sometimes harbour a crazy idea that one day all my journals and silly poems will be published and I will become posthumously famous. sigh
There is very little information available about the film at this time, but it is said to have a 2003 release date. Count me in at opening night!
Any thoughts as to how this film might turn out? How about Gwyneth as Sylvia?
Eehhhhhhhhh…I don’t think I’ll be able to buy Gwyneth as Sylvia. Not that I have any ideas about who should, but I just can’t picture that as being a good thing.
Gwyneth is not and cannot be Sylvia Plath. That’s a horrible idea.
The movie BTW is being shot in Dunedin, NZ which will mean there will be some beautiful scenery to look at when one cannot bear watching Gwynnie chew the carpet any longer.
I think it’s a good idea. People love to piss on Gwyneth (and I was one of them, before I came to my senses) but she is worthy and it’ll be good. For an idea of how she plays an English poet scholar, check out the very good Possession when it comes out on DVD.
I just read that they’re filming part of it in New Zealand, on the South Island. It’s good to know that LOTR has paved the way for other productions.
Gosh, I can think of several more appropriate actresses to play Plath. Julianne Morre, for instance or Nicole Kidman. How about Kate Winslet?
Anyway- I hadn’t heard, so thanks for the heads up. I hope they don’t call it Ted & Sylvia. They did that with Henry & June, and Tom & (gee, I forget Eliot’s wife’s name. Anybody?). If they wanted to be really clever, there is a poetic metaphor that they shared- Caryatids. Hughes met Plath after she read her poem. He has two poems in Birthday Letters reflecting upon this and incorporating the metaphor (rather effectively, I might add). Caryatids (or just Caryatid) would be a brilliant title.
presidebt, I agree with you regarding the title. I think there was another title being thrown around, but I can’t recall it right now…ahh, just found it…other titles being tossed around are Bitter Fame and The Beekeeper’s Daughter.
Out of all the actresses you listed, all of whom I find to be excellent actresses, I still think Gwyneth would be more appropriate.
Primaflora, any particular reasons for your thoughts?
I think that judging by Paltrow’s portrayal of Margot in The Royal Tenenbaums, along with her role in Sliding Doors (which is my favourite of her films), she will be a convincing Plath.
Yes, I heard about this a couple of months ago and have even seen pics of Gwyneth in character (as Sylvia) and I must say, she looks the part.
I think she will do a fine, fine job as Sylvia Plath and I am excited about the movie
