Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Judy Davis | ... | Sybylla Melvyn | |
Sam Neill | ... | Harry Beecham | |
Wendy Hughes | ... | Aunt Helen | |
Robert Grubb | ... | Frank Hawdon | |
Max Cullen | ... | Mr. McSwatt | |
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Aileen Britton | ... | Grandma Bossier |
Peter Whitford | ... | Uncle Julius | |
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Patricia Kennedy | ... | Aunt Gussie |
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Alan Hopgood | ... | Father |
Julia Blake | ... | Mother | |
David Franklin | ... | Horace | |
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Marion Shad | ... | Gertie |
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Arron Wood | ... | Stanley |
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Sue Davies | ... | Aurora |
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Gordon Piper | ... | Barman |
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. Written by garykmcd
My mother took me to see this film when I was ten, the year before she died. It changed my entire perspective on the world, set me free from the constraints of fairy tales and inspired me to do something worthwhile with my life (write). I've seen it a few times since then, and found it improved in pace with my understanding.
Apparently Judy Davis didn't like this character or sympathize with her. All I can say is that I'm glad she went ahead and took the role anyway. Sybylla is like Cinderella with a twist worthy of M. Night Shymalan.
The film is sometimes beautiful and lyrical, sometimes depressing and ugly. At all times it is believable because the forces driving Sybylla transcend time and place: creativity and independence. This film taught me that a gilded cage is still a cage.
Even twenty odd years after I first saw it, this film makes me want to cheer. Gillian Armstrong, if you're out there, thank you!