The Bell Jar

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The Bell Jar

R

1979

1h 52m

Biography

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8 Reviews

25%

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250+ Ratings

A college student (Marilyn Hassett) who lost her father and hates her mother (Julie Harris) slowly goes mad in the 1950s.

Joe Pollack

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The problems with the film are total, from the screenplay to the directing to the acting.

Nov 8, 2021

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

The script, by Marjorie Kellogg, is full of overwrought extremes, even though Mr. Peerce directs virtually all of it with an inappropriate evenness.

Apr 28, 2020

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Judith Martin

Washington Post

Even the crazy pressures now obvious to feminists are made to seem petty.

Apr 28, 2020

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Cheri Lesh

The Lesbian Tide

This film left me feeling ambivalent.

Apr 28, 2020

Full Review

Richard Corliss

Maclean's Magazine

Read the book. Flee the movie.

Jul 19, 2019

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TV Guide Staff

TV Guide

It begins as a downer and goes down from there.

Rated: 1.5/5

May 9, 2005

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Ben S

enjoyed this movie I did, watch this movie again I will.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/23

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Steve D

Uncomfortable and unconvincing.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/15/23

Full Review

Kashaf

where should i watch it for free

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/23

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Ani V

Those who criticize this movie either have yet to read the book, or have no understanding for mental illness.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The only reason I can think of for most movie reviewers to pan this movie is because they weren't young women with depression and an uncertain view of themselves as they related to the world around them. This movie was huge for me when it was released in 1979. I had read the book and true, the movie doesn't touch the underlayers of Esther's familial turmoil, but Marilyn Hassett's portrayal is as unhinged and honest as I would want. Mad props to Donna Mitchell as well for her portrayal of Joan.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

Terribly boring. Couldn’t last more than 15 minutes into this film.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/24/20

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Larry Peerce

Director

Marilyn Hassett

Esther Greenwood

Julie Harris

Mrs. Greenwood

Anne Jackson

Dr. Nolan

Barbara Barrie

Jay Cee

Robert Klein

Lenny

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Synopsis

A college student (Marilyn Hassett) who lost her father and hates her mother (Julie Harris) slowly goes mad in the 1950s.

Director: Larry Peerce
Producer: Michael Todd Jr.
Rating: R
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 52m