My Brilliant Career (1979) My 3rd film by Armstrong once again displays a director who knows how to tell a story, but lacks the punch of originality to tell that story in a fresh way. Armstrong's strongest skill is the ability to find financing for her female-centric stories. Once the cast and crew are in place, she doesn't do much visually to separate her film from the pack.
For a while, the material trods Sybylla (Judy Davis) down a familiar 'coming-of-age' path. There's the ugly duckling who becomes not so ugly, the iron will that won't be bent or broken, the proposals by weak men who say with contempt that a finer offer (or even another offer) will never come along, and the snooty older relative who thinks our heroine should learn her place. Heck, there's even a moment where Sybylla stands joyfully in the rain with her arms outstretched.
Curious thing. I started noticing themes playing out. Sybylla struggling against the will of men is one thing, but watching other women put her down raises some interesting issues. Those women are Australian, pretending to be sophisticated English aristocrats. The dividing line is transparent. A moment of sharp contrast when there's a party at the estate and Sybylla slips away to join the rabble in more spirited carousing. She looks down her nose at nobody, knows drinking songs and slips easily between the two classes.
Her relationship to young and handsome Harry (Sam Neill) also finds interesting ground. I could've done without the epic, playful pillow fight to let the audience know they like each other. Harry isn't completely unlike the other men. He makes some of the same arrogant declarations, but he is willing to learn from his transgressions. Now she must learn to give a little herself. Or perhaps not. The road to love is never a straight line, and I enjoyed the film so much more when it took these curved paths.
Rating: * * *