Sylvia film review

certificate_15

SYLVIA

There has been so much conjecture about the life and death of Sylvia Plath that any film of her life seems destined to be questioned over its authenticity. This is a problem that dogs all biopics, but after their success with Iris two years ago, BBC Films greenlit another similar project despite the usual protestations from members of the Plath and Hughes family. Not that veracity is a problem for Christine Jeffs. In fact, if anything there are times during the film when you wish the screenwriter had invented things to make it a little more exciting.

Stylistically this is conventional stuff, with a simple narrative that takes us from the first meeting between Plath and Hughes at Cambridge through to their turbulent married life together. By the time Plath reaches Cambridge, a fresh and beautiful New Englander, Hughes is already an up-and-coming star on the poetry scene. Plath hardly gets a look in with her own work and when she does it is met with hostile criticism. Charmed by his looks and broody talent, the two are soon engaged, flitting between America and London before settling in the West Country. As Hughes' fame increases, Plath's desperation at being less than his creative equal reaches new depths. His womanising ways become intolerable, and just after the publication of her breakout work, The Bell Jar, Plath committed suicide at the age of 31.

Despite various attempts to get into the mind of the artist - recital competitions at University, Sylvia's varied attempts to find her muse - the screenplay eventually gives up the ghost and reverts to being a domestic drama, where jealousy and infidelity tear the central couple apart. And this is really the only time the film comes to life, most notably in a highly charged scene at the Hughes' country cottage when a visiting couple become unwittingly involved.

The film's other main strength is in its performances. Paltrow and Daniel Craig not only capture the spirit of their characters but displaying a convincing chemistry together. Too often, however, this is cosy stuff that rarely challenges and occasionally veers into telefilm territory.