The Bell Jar (film)

The Bell Jar

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1979
Headquarters	United States
Products	Psychological drama film

The Bell Jar is a 1979 American psychological drama film based on Sylvia Plath's 1963 novel, directed by Larry Peerce. Featuring performances by Marilyn Hassett and Julie Harris, the story centers on a young woman’s summer employment at a women's magazine in New York City, her subsequent return to New England, and her psychological deterioration amid the societal pressures of the 1950s.

Plot

Set against the backdrop of 1950s America, the film explores a young woman’s tenure at a magazine similar to Mademoiselle in New York, followed by her homecoming to New England and ensuing mental health struggles.

Cast

• Marilyn Hassett as Esther Greenwood
• Julie Harris as Mrs. Greenwood
• Anne Jackson as Dr. Nolan
• Barbara Barrie as Jay Cee
• Robert Klein as Lenny
• Donna Mitchell as Joan
• Mary Louise Weller as Doreen
• Jameson Parker as Buddy Willard
• Thaao Penghlis as Marco
• Scott McKay as Mr. Gilling
• Meg Mundy as Bea Ramsey

During the development phase, Mia Farrow was considered for the lead role.

Production

The adaptation process began in the early 1970s. Principal photography occurred in June and July 1978 at locations including Rutgers University, Four Winds Hospital in Katonah, New York, and various sites throughout New York City. Notably, scenes depicting fashion shows were shot on the seventh-floor terrace of the International Building.

Reception

Janet Maslin of The New York Times criticized the film’s depiction of Esther as fundamentally flawed, stating it fails to capture her inner complexities, idiosyncrasies, or anxieties. She described the storyline as sluggish and lacking both satire and dramatic tension, which renders Esther’s psychological collapse unconvincing.

Variety observed that despite some commendable acting, the movie does not generate empathy or insight into Esther’s character, who is portrayed by Marilyn Hassett as a "self-absorbed, morbid little prig."

Gene Siskel from the Chicago Tribune awarded the film one star, labeling it "downright laughable" and a disappointing rendition of a cherished novel.

Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times suggested that directors such as Ingmar Bergman or Woody Allen might better translate the material due to its need for visual nuance. Although he praised Hassett’s authentic portrayal, he found the film’s straightforward approach insufficient.

Judith Martin of The Washington Post described the adaptation as "particularly harsh" for casting Plath’s protagonist as a pretentious hysteric.

Jack Kroll from Newsweek acknowledged that while the screenplay superficially adheres to Plath’s original work, it lacks the novel's deeper rhythm and intensity despite strong acting from Hassett.

Penelope Gilliatt of The New Yorker dismissed the film as overly "hysterical," lacking substantive insight into mental illness.

On Rotten Tomatoes, The Bell Jar holds a 0% approval rating based on eight critical reviews.

Lawsuit

After its release, Boston psychiatrist Dr. Jane V. Anderson initiated legal action alleging that she was depicted through the character Joan, who in the film attempts to convince Esther to engage in a suicide pact—an incident not present in Plath’s book. While Joan is subtly suggested to be lesbian in the novel, this is never explicitly stated. Anderson’s attorneys argued that this portrayal severely harmed her professional reputation as a psychiatrist affiliated with Harvard Medical School. The case was resolved in 1987 with a settlement amounting to $150,000.

The British Library maintains archives containing poetry, diary entries, correspondence, and legal documents related to this lawsuit, shedding light on both the U.S. publication history of The Bell Jar and obstacles encountered during its cinematic adaptation.