dcoughlin

This is a movie that probably should have been longer. Unless you are an expert on Sylvia Plath, not enough information is provided on her earlier childhood, fathers death, etc, that would explain her preoccupation with suicide and death. I understand that Ms Plath's family would not cooperate with this film, and it shows.

Although Astaire was a bit past his prime in the dancing area, this is by far the best acting performance he gave (Towering Inferno Oscar nod included). His Bert Kalmar is complex, restless, at times testy, and very much a real person compared to the standard Astaire character. Whether the circumstances depicted in the movie were fact or fiction, he is really a character with a distinct persona, as opposed to Fred Astaire essentially playing himself as in most other his other films.

.....It still has a lot going for it, especially Diane Lane. The book was a non-fiction piece by what I presumed to be was an author in her late 40's. As always, Hollywood must glamorize, and we have a younger heroine who has friends, adventures and romances not in the book. But the piece IS true to the book in that, sometimes a major life change can bring the sweetest rewards.