ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on biopics about female authors, which seem to comprise the most fraught of the various sub-genres investigated. Although writer biopics still present their subjects as admirable, they do not often succeed in conveying a full sense of their genius. Too often female writing talent is tied to failed romance or madness. Films examined are The Barretts of Wimpole Street (Sidney Franklin, 1934), I Shot Andy Warhol (Mary Harron, 1996), Iris (Richard Eyre, 2001), and Sylvia (Christine Jeffs, 2003).
