Wonderful character development!

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Touches You

One of my all time favorites.

Australian screenwriter, producer and director Gillian Armstrong's feature film debut which was written by Australian author and screenwriter Eleanor Witcombe, is an adaptation of a novel from 1901 by Australian feminist and author Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin (1879-1954). It premiered In competition at the 32nd Cannes International Film Festival in 1979, was shot on locations in New South Wales, Australia and is an Australian production which was produced by Australian film producer Margaret Fink. It tells the story about Sybylla Melvyn, a young and aspiring writer who lives with her parents who are farmers and her four younger siblings on the outback in Possum Gully, Australia in 1897. Due to the drought, Sybylla's parents are struggling so much that they can't afford to have her living with them any longer and she is sent off to live with her wealthy grandmother Mrs. Bossier in Caddagat. Sybylla's life becomes better there, but she soon learns that she is expected to find a man and marry. Sybylla is not a believer in marriage and shows little interest for her grandmother's socialite friends, but one day she meets a revered landowner named Harry Beecham who courts her. Sybylla takes a liking to Harry, but she regards herself as unworthy of his affection and therefore does not believe that he will ever love her. Finely and acutely directed by Australian filmmaker Gillian Armstrong, this finely paced period piece which is narrated by the protagonist and from her point of view, draws a refined portrayal of an independent-minded woman who finds herself caught between the expectations of others and her own beliefs and aspirations after meeting a man who touches her heart and who can offer her the kind of life that she has grown up with, but that goes against the dreams she pursues. While notable for it's naturalistic and atmospheric rural milieu depictions, sterling production design by Australian-born Italian production designer Luciana Arrighi, cinematography by Australian cinematographer Donald McAlpine, costume design by Australian costume designer Anna Senior, use of colors and use of music, this character-driven, dialog-driven, somewhat biographical and serene story about a feminist's journey towards self-realization during the late 19th century, depicts a condensed study of character. This literary and charmingly romantic late 1970s Australian New Wave feature film is impelled and reinforced by it's cogent narrative structure, subtle character development and the compelling and memorable acting performances by Australian actress Judy Davis in her first leading role and New Zealand actor Sam Neill in one of his earliest lead roles. An eloquent, involving and mindful drama which gained, among other awards, six AFI Awards at the 21st Australian Film Institute Awards in 1979 and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role Judy Davis at the 34th British Academy Film Awards in 1981.

Don't get me wrong, I like Judy Davis & I like this movie because of the nice chemistry between her and Sam Neill. Sam sure was handsome when he was younger (still looks good now too, though).In the end I didn't get the main character because her behavior didn't make a lot of sense to me. If Sam Neill's character was an idiot I would understand, but he was about as perfect for Davis' character as she could ever hope for & her "career" didn't seem like much of a lifestyle......so her actions left me perplexed.Still, the movie was well done & the scenery was interesting. It kept me engaged until the end....however, when the final credits rolled I was left scratching my head.

An overlooked masterpiece. Not only did Gillian Armstrong's direction serve the material superbly, but Judy Davis's Sybilla was one of the boldest film debuts I've ever seen. The gasps heard all over the theater when Sam Neill is first seen (from Sybilla's POV in the tree) also made an indelible impression.Perhaps most impressive is the screenplay, which greatly improves on what turned out to be a good novel so dated that it is all the more amazing that anyone ever thought to make it into a film. The musical score was also a delight.Most confusing to me is that it has taken so long for it to be released on home video. A major addition to any thinking film-goer's home library.

If not to see a young Sam Niel or for the gorgeous landscapes of Australia that set the film, see this movie for an interesting viewpoint on feminism and the outback all in one. The main character, Sybylla, is constantly insulted by her alleged friends and family, though they don't intend it directly. Her character's flaky-ness doesn't help her plight as a female in a society hell-bent on marrying her off, but the character's story is worth renting this for.