Themes: Questioning Gender Roles, Writer's Life, Fighting the System
Main Cast: Judy Davis, Sam Neill, Wendy Hughes, Robert Grubb, Patricia Kennedy
Release Year: 1979
Country: AU
Run Time: 101 minutes
Plot
Both actress Judy Davis and director Gillian Armstrong made a big splash on the international scene with this charming Australian film that examines late 19th century Australian society from the perspective of a headstrong woman who refuses to follow convention. The film charts the developing self-awareness of Sybylla Melvyn (Judy Davis) as she grows from an insecure tomboy to a self-assured woman. Sybylla wants to be a writer and stuns her family and friends by her insistence on following her dream. Despite the objections of her family acquaintances, she rejects the marriage proposal from the rich Harry Beecham (Sam Neill) to continue going her own way, in spite of the odds stacked against her in a repressive Victorian environment. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Review
1979 was a timely year for a challenging feminist film about an unconventional woman bucking a conservative society. It was also the height of the Australian cinema's New Wave. Director Gillian Armstrong was therefore perfectly positioned to score with her first feature film, about a proto-feminist heroine in early 20th century Australia. The heroine was played by Judy Davis with an engaging determination that helped Armstrong's picture win international attention. With its deliberate pace and thoughtful attention to detail, My Brilliant Career was a surprise hit that launched both Davis and Armstrong to stardom. It was also helped by a fine performance from Sam Neill as the heroine's suitor. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
Max Cullen - Mr. McSwat; Haylely Anderson - Rosie Jane McSwat; Robert Austin - Willie McSwat; Julia Blake - Mother; Aileen Britton - Grandma Bossier; Simone Buchanan - Mary Anne McSwat; Aaron Corrin - Jimmy McSwat; Sharon Crouch - Sarah McSwat; Gerry Duggan - Squatter; Tony Hughes - Peter McSwat; Ray Meagher - Mailman; Max Meldrum - Mr. Harris; Tina Robinson - Lizer McSwat; Carole Skinner - Mrs. McSwat; Mark Spain - Tommy McSwat; Peter Whitford - Uncle Julius; David Franklin - Horace; Alan Hopgood - Father; Dorothy St. Heaps - Mrs. Derrick; Suzanne Roylance - Biddy
Credit
Anna Senior - Costume Designer, Gillian Armstrong - Director, Nicholas Beauman - Editor, Nathan Waks - Composer (Music Score), Luciana Arrighi - Production Designer, Donald M. McAlpine - Cinematographer, Margaret Fink - Producer, Eleanor Witcombe - Screenwriter, Miles Franklin - Book Author
The movie was released in Australia on August 17, 1979; in the United States on October 6, 1979 at the New York Film Festival and February 1, 1980 in limited U.S. theaters; in Japan on January 2, 1982; and in Poland on July 23, 2007 at Era New Horizons Film Festival. The movie is also available in DVD in several regions, including Region 1 DVD. Some scenes were shot at the Ryrie homstead at Michelago, New South Wales.
Sybylla (Judy Davis), a headstrong, free spirited girl growing up in late 19th century Australia, has the opportunity of marriage to a young man Harry (Sam Neill) a wealthy suitor and childhood friend, but rejects it in order to maintain her independence, instead being forced to take a job as governess/housekeeper to the family of an illiterate neighbour to whom her father owes money. After returning home, she again rejects another proposal by Harry so she can write her novel, "My Brilliant Career".
