Determined to have a career and not just be a housewife like so many women of her generation, a headstrong young lady in 1890s rural Australia rebuffs marriage proposals and ignores advice of how to act ladylike in this critically acclaimed drama starring Judy Davis. The film wears its pro-feminist heart on its sleeve, however, it impressively shies away from being angry about the situation for women at the time with Davis more often painted as a hopeless dreamer than a subjugated hero wanting to break free. One's mileage with the film is, however, likely to vary depending upon how one relates to the Davis character. There is certainly a lot to like in the almost childlike dreams she has for a career in the arts, but she more often comes across as confused and uncertain than ambitious and set on changing her fortunes. Several of her not-so-ladylike actions (sitting in trees where men can see up her skirt; pillow fighting) also come across as more whimsical than rebellious and it is harder to cheer on someone just being themselves than someone with a set agenda and values that they are intent on adhering to. It is a minor quibble perhaps, and with accurate period sets and Oscar nominated costumes, the film certainly captures the flavour of rural Australia very well. Sam Neill also has a nice, understated performance as a man who Davis briefly has a romantic fling with and Wendy Hughes is solid as her spinster aunt who has trouble reigning her in, but relating to the main character seems to be key in appreciating what the film has to offer.

It's 1897 rural Australia. It's rough living in a patriarchal society. Sybylla Melvyn (Judy Davis) has many big dreams. She wants a grand career rather than a marriage. Her mother tells her that they can't keep her anymore. She is sent away to live with her rich grandmother. She is excited at first by the change. She is soon pursued by the Frank Hawdon (Robert Grubb) and childhood acquaintance Harry Beecham (Sam Neill). She refuses to be married off. She grows closer and closer to Harry.

These are two great young Aussie actors. The story meanders a bit. My best comparison is Anne of Green Gables without the humor. Without the humor, Sybylla comes off a little more huffy. Judy Davis is a very appealing actress. The back and forth in the romance is quite compelling. It's an empowering story and there's also the acting. The cinematographer is also great.

I spotted this title in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, and then I spotted that it starred the lead actor for Jurassic Park, so I was intrigued to see what it involved, from director Gillian Armstrong (Little Women, Charlotte Gray). Basically, set in 1890's Australia, Sybylla Melvyn (A Passage to India's twice BAFTA winning Judy Davis) is the headstrong free spirited heroine, her family have had some ups and downs with poor business decisions and her father drinking heavily. She is relieved to be sent to live with her grandmother on her property where things become more comfortable, and there she meets young wealthy Harry Beecham (Sam Neill),who at first she finds a little annoying. But he falls in love with her and eventually proposes marriage, but she is convinced she is ugly and too tomboyish, therefore she does not believe that he truly loves her. After dismissing the proposal Sybylla's father's drinking has caused them to become caught up in debt, so she goes to work for an almost illiterate neighbour and family they owe money to as a housekeeper. She becomes accustomed to this job to the point where she doesn't mind doing it, but she is relieved to be sent home and kept away from the son of the family who apparently was falling for her. Then Harry returns to ask her to marry him again, but she once again dismisses him saying that she will make him unhappy, and wants to continue her writing and successful, which of course she did and wasn't afraid to brag about in her text at the beginning of the film. The film ends with her concluding the book she started in the opening, and we see her posting the manuscript, this is the conclusion and seemingly a suggestion that the film is about her brilliant career, or rather how it starts. Also starring Wendy Hughes as Aunt Helen, Robert Grubb as Frank Hawdon, Max Cullen as Mr. McSwatt, Patricia Kennedy as Aunt Gussie, Aileen Britton as Grandma Bossier, Peter Whitford as Uncle Julius, Alan Hopgood as Father and Julia Blake as Mother. Young Davis gives a well assured performance as the leading female character, and Neill is pleasantly cool and relatively charming as the possible love interest for her, I will admit I may not have caught up with everything going, but from what I gathered it is a pretty watchable period drama. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Costume Design, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film. Very good!