Sylvia(2003)

Focus Features

R
1h 50m

Release Date: Oct 17, 2003 | Limited

Story of the relationship between poets Edward James "Ted" Hughes and Sylvia Plath.

Releases

Original Release | Oct 17, 2003

Box Office

Results

Opening Weekend US & Canada:
$58,940
Total US & Canada:
$1,315,498
Total International
$1,601,895
Total Worldwide:
$2,917,393

Director & Top Cast

Christine Jeffs
Director

Gwyneth Paltrow
Sylvia Plath

Daniel Craig
Ted Hughes

Lucy Davenport
Doreen

David Birkin
Morecambe

Alison Bruce
Elizabeth

Amira Casar

Assia Wevill

Blythe Danner

Aurelia Plath

Julian Firth

James Michie

Jeremy Fowlds

Mr. Robinson

Michael Gambon

Professor Thomas

Sarah Guyler

Ted's Cambridge Girlfriend

Jared Harris

Al Alvarez

Andrew Havill

David Wevill

Theresa Healey

3rd Woman at Ted Hughes' Lecture

Liddy Holloway

Martha Bergstrom

Robyn Malcolm

1st Woman at Ted Hughes' Lecture

Michael Mears

Charles Langridge

Technical Specifications

Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio: 2.35 : 1

Other Details

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Language: English

Summaries

Storyline

In 1956, aspiring American poet Sylvia Plath (Gwyneth Paltrow) meets fellow poet Edward James "Ted" Hughes (Daniel Craig) at Cambridge, where she is studying. Enthralled with the genius of his writing, Sylvia falls in love with him even before meeting him, and he quickly falls in love with her. They eventually marry. Sylvia quickly learns that others are also enthralled with her husband, for a combination of his good looks, charisma, fame, and success. Sylvia lives in her husband's professional shadow as she tries to eke out her own writing career, which doesn't come as naturally to her as it does to Ted. She also suspects him of chronic infidelity. Both issues affect Sylvia's already fragile emotional state, she, who once tried to commit suicide earlier in her life. Through her pain and her anger, she does gain minor success as a writer, with a completed semi-autobiographical novel and a few well received collection of poems. Following, she tries to regain some happiness in her life with Ted, but has an alternate plan if that does not work out as she wants. — Huggo Talented, but plagued by her owns demons, Sylvia Plath's (Gwyneth Paltrow's) early relationship with husband and fellow poet, Edward James "Ted" Hughes (Daniel Craig), is dominated by Ted's ambition and success. In the early years of their marriage, Sylvia lacks inspiration and increasingly senses Ted's infidelity. The unspoken question is whether Ted's extra-marital affairs are the result of Sylvia's own insecurities or whether Sylvia's deepening depression is exacerbated by her husbands philandering. It is only towards the end, when they are separated, that Sylvia is able to truly explore the dark depths of her soul and write the searingly brilliant poetry that earned her fame. — johnno. r@xtra.co.nz