Sylvia(2003)

Focus Features

R
Rated R for sexuality/nudity and language
1h 40m

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

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Box Office Results

Results

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

Current Showtimes

Your Location or

(U.S. Only)

Director & Top Cast

Christine Jeffs
Director

Alison Bruce
Actor

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