The Daughter (2015)

The story follows a man who returns home to discover a long-buried family secret, and whose attempts to put things right threaten the lives of those he left home years before.

Director:

Simon Stone

Writers:

Simon Stone, Henrik Ibsen (inspired by "The Wild Duck")

Stars:

Geoffrey Rush, Nicholas Hope, Sam Neill

10 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Geoffrey Rush	...	Henry
Nicholas Hope	...	Peterson
Sam Neill	...	Walter
Ewen Leslie	...	Oliver
Richard Sutherland	...	Craig
Paul Schneider	...	Christian
Robert Menzies	...	Taxi Driver
Anna Torv	...	Anna
Eden Falk	...	Caterer
Odessa Young	...	Hedvig
Miranda Otto	...	Charlotte
Gareth Davies	...	Greg
Wilson Moore	...	Adam
Ivy Mak	...	Grace
Kate Box	...	Julieanne

Storyline

Set in the last days of a dying logging town, Christian (Schneider) returns to his family home for his father Henry's (Rush) wedding. Reconnecting with his childhood friend Oliver (Leslie) and Oliver's family, wife Charlotte (Otto) and daughter Hedvig (Young), he unearths a long-buried secret. As he tries to right the wrongs of the past, his actions threaten to shatter the lives of those he left behind years before.

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Plot Keywords:

wedding | friend | logging | tavern | alcoholic relapse | 

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Taglines:

Emotionally searing!

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 January 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Daughter

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Gross USA:

$26,376

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,505,434

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen NSW, Wildflower Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

'Hedvig' is the only character whose name remained exactly the same from the film's base text 'The Wild Duck'. Peterson's name also remained the same, except for a spelling change.

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Goofs

When Hedvig returns the shotgun to the shed, the narrator says "She unlocks a safe and places the rifle inside". This is despite the fact that the narrator has referred to the gun as a 'shotgun' in all the previous scenes.

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Connections

Version of The Wild Duck (1976)

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Soundtracks

Dance Hall Days
Written by Darren Costin, Nick Feldman and Jack Hues
Performed by Wang Chung

User Reviews

Near flawless but not a ride for the faint of heart

Much has been said already; slick direction, outstanding performances from the entire cast, especially those we are unfamiliar with on the screen and a brilliant story, 140 years old, that cements as the bed rock. (Rush is quite deliciously understated).

I only have two objections. The editing style is unique (dialogue preceding the scene, or carrying over other parts that is not natural but interesting). However I feel the director relies on it too heavily, passing up the potential for good drama. This is especially noticeable in a confrontation between Sam Neill and Geoffrey Rush. The tension is passed over in favour of technique. An error.

The other objection is that the director claims the play 'Inspires' the screenplay. Despite the changes, it's the same story. It should be 'based upon'. Its an obvious flex of ego.

Minor points aside, this a top notch, captivating drama in all regards, showing the complexities of human relations, and that truth is not always the right option. Ah, the intricate web we often unintentionally weave.