Sylvia
(2003)
Starring: David Birkin, Alison Bruce
The biting poetry and sad life of poet Sylvia Plath form the story of Sylvia, starring Gwyneth Paltrow. This subtle but fascinating movie centers around Plath's relationship with poet Ted Hughes (Daniel Craig, Love Is the Devil), with whom she fell aggressively in love while a student at Cambridge. Their relationship proved passionate but rocky; many of Plath's fans blame the depression that eventually led her to suicide on Hughes's infidelity. Sylvia doesn't let Hughes off the hook, but it doesn't paint Plath as a helpless victim either. Paltrow's superb performance captures the poet's fierce jealousy and artistic ambition as much as her debilitating sorrow. The movie makes no big statements about Plath's poetry, letting the troubling details of her life tell their own compelling story. Also featuring Jared Harris, Blythe Danner, and Michael Gambon; the acting is outstanding all around. --Bret Fetzer
P.S.
(2004)
Starring: Laura Linney, Topher Grace
A May-December romance turns metaphysical in P.S., from the director of the critically acclaimed Roger Dodger. Louise (Laura Linney, You Can Count On Me, Kinsey) has a warm friendship with her ex-husband and a satisfying position as an admissions officer for Columbia University, but she's never gotten over losing her first love from high school. When a young man with the same name, face, and artistic talents (Topher Grace, Traffic) as her lost love suddenly arrives for an admissions interview, Louise tumbles into an abrupt and questionable relationship. P.S. is at its best when it follows the tics and foibles of human behavior; Linney and Grace both give vivid, lively performances. But every time reincarnation rears its head, the movie flounders, particularly in clumsy scenes with Louise's predatory best friend (Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River), who stole Louise's boy so long ago. Fortunately (or strangely), that element is almost a tacked-on subplot; center stage is the romance between Linney and Grace, which glows sweetly. Also featuring Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects, Miller's Crossing) and a woefully underused Paul Rudd (The Shape of Things, Clueless).
The Boys and Girl From County Clare
(2003)
Starring: Colm Meaney, Bernard Hill
The all-Ireland traditional music competition attracts the best musicians from all over the country. As the musicians make their way towards the competition trouble rears its head. At the heart of the adversity lies the vengeful interventions of two estranged brothers from opposing bands.
Although some of the plotlines and jokes are predictable, the movie still entertains. Those who enjoy traditional Irish music, or movies such as "Waking Ned Devine", "Local Hero", "The Commitments" and "The Snapper" should give this movie a watch - although not quite as good as any of the above, it is certainly worth a viewing.
For those who play traditional Irish music, you will love the session "in-jokes" such as the visiting American band playing "Irish Washerwoman", one band-leader's admonition "...you're playing the accordion for starters!", and the scene of a session being over-run by a horde of novice bodhran players.
Speaking from the viewpoint of one who plays traditional music, the only irksome thing about the movie is that the lead woman (from the Corrs) FAILS TO MOVE HER FINGERS AT ALL as she pretends to play the fiddle. This is even more strange, considering that she actually CAN play the fiddle quite well in real life. How did that one get by the director?
