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My Brilliant Career

  • 19791979
  • GG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Sam Neill and Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)
A young independent woman who lives with her grandmother and aunt in the countryside rebels against being pressured into marriage and chooses to solely focus on having a career as a writer. Nevertheless, two suitors propose to her.
Play trailer2:07
2 Videos
35 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Romance

A proud young woman in early 20th century Australia must choose between marriage and independence.A proud young woman in early 20th century Australia must choose between marriage and independence.A proud young woman in early 20th century Australia must choose between marriage and independence.

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Gillian Armstrong
  • Writers
    • Eleanor Witcombe(screenplay)
    • Miles Franklin(novel)
  • Stars
    • Judy Davis
    • Sam Neill
    • Wendy Hughes
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gillian Armstrong
  • Writers
    • Eleanor Witcombe(screenplay)
    • Miles Franklin(novel)
  • Stars
    • Judy Davis
    • Sam Neill
    • Wendy Hughes
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 53User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 11 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:07
    Trailer
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 23
    Video 28:52
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 23

    Photos35

    Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Sam Neill and Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Sam Neill and Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Sam Neill and Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Sam Neill and Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Sam Neill and Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Sam Neill in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Robert Grubb and Marion Shad in My Brilliant Career (1979)
    Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Judy Davis
    Judy Davis
    • Sybylla Melvynas Sybylla Melvyn
    Sam Neill
    Sam Neill
    • Harry Beechamas Harry Beecham
    Wendy Hughes
    Wendy Hughes
    • Aunt Helenas Aunt Helen
    Robert Grubb
    Robert Grubb
    • Frank Hawdonas Frank Hawdon
    Max Cullen
    Max Cullen
    • Mr. McSwattas Mr. McSwatt
    Aileen Britton
    • Grandma Bossieras Grandma Bossier
    Peter Whitford
    Peter Whitford
    • Uncle Juliusas Uncle Julius
    Patricia Kennedy
    • Aunt Gussieas Aunt Gussie
    Alan Hopgood
    Alan Hopgood
    • Fatheras Father
    Julia Blake
    Julia Blake
    • Motheras Mother
    David Franklin
    David Franklin
    • Horaceas Horace
    Marion Shad
    • Gertieas Gertie
    Arron Wood
    • Stanleyas Stanley
    Sue Davies
    • Auroraas Aurora
    Gordon Piper
    • Barmanas Barman
    James Moss
    • Pub Drinkeras Pub Drinker
    Bill Charlton
    • Joeas Joe
    Suzanne Roylance
    • Biddyas Biddy
    • Director
      • Gillian Armstrong
    • Writers
      • Eleanor Witcombe(screenplay)
      • Miles Franklin(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Sybylla Melvyn is an independent young woman who soon after arriving to live with her grandmother, and aunt announces she'll never marry and plans on having a career instead. She attracts the interest of several suitors; bumbling Englishman Frank Hawdon, her handsome neighbour, the handsome young farmer, Harry Beecham, who she's attracted to. —garykmcd
    • brushing hair
    • feminist film
    • independent woman
    • feminist
    • rebellious woman
    • 144 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Sometimes it is the things that bind us, that truly set us free.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • G
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Miles Franklin was apparently only sixteen years of age when she wrote her novel 'My Brilliant Career.' However, Franklin was about twenty-one years of age when the novel was first published in 1901.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Sybylla: Possum Gully, Australia. 1897. Dear fellow countrymen, just a few lines to let you know that this story is going to be all about me. So, in answer to many requests, here is the story of my career... here is the story, of my career... my *brilliant* career. I make no apology for being egotistical... because I am!

    • Connections
      Featured in My Brilliant Career: Ciné Regards - Judy Davis (1980)

    User reviews53

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    19th century young woman - late 20th century thinking
    An impossibly young Judy Davis is the star of "My Brilliant Career" - the movie that started hers - a 1979 film directed by Gillian Armstrong. The story concerns Sybylla, growing up in the 1890s in the wilds of Australia who wants more from her life than marriage. She is sent to live with her grandmother, where relatives tame her wild hair, soften her coarse skin, but can't do anything about her spirit. Though she falls for a wealthy young man (Sam Neil), she is true to what her heart tells her, desiring most of all to be a writer and an independent person.

    Davis does a wonderful job as Sybylla who, although headstrong, manages to make the best of whatever situation she's in. What a life for women back then. Her family can't afford to keep her, so there is pressure on her to marry or take a position. Living with her grandmother affords her some great opportunities for a better life. But when her father owes a local farmer money, she is sent to teach his illiterate children in order to work off the loan. Somehow, she turns that into a positive experience - though when you see the beginning scenes of her life there, you won't imagine she ever could. Sam Neil is very attractive and romantic as Harry, who endeavors to understand this unusual woman.

    Beautifully photographed, "My Brilliant Career" is nevertheless no big, sweeping epic, and the focus stays on Sybylla, her challenges, and her determination to be, in every sense, ahead of her time.
    helpful•4
    0
    • blanche-2
    • Dec 9, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 17, 1979 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Official site
      • Criterion
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Meine brillante Karriere
    • Filming locations
      • Camden Park House, Menangle, New South Wales, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Margaret Fink Productions
      • New South Wales Film Corporation
      • Greater Union Organisation (GUO)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • A$800,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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