Customer Reviews

My Brilliant Career

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Spoiler alert! I discuss the ending in these comments. Proceed
at your own risk!

A lovely, beautifully acted first feature that launched both Judy
Davis, who is amazing in this, and director Gillian Armstrong.

Its lost a little something revisiting it after all these years. While
it's feminist ideals are inspiring and handled with complexity, there's
a certain lack of emotion to it. We don't really get the deep
bitter-sweetness of choosing loneliness over loss of self.

Also, that the film forces that choice at all seems a bit disingenuous.
Nothing about Sam Neil's character suggests he would repress our
heroine - indeed he clearly loves her for the free spirit she is. To
really have her need to make an either/or decision 'work' we'd need to
go further into their relationship and her psychology.

Last, a number of the supporting roles tend towards clichés about both
the upper and lower class. And that oversimplifying takes something
away from the complex character Davis builds.

But all that said, there are beautiful images and magical moments. It
just didn't quite hold up to my memories of first seeing it 30 years
ago. But if you've never seen it, you still certainly should.

Amazon.com made good suggestions when we are ordering some films...I never heard about this film which is wonderful, well acted with a Sam Neil so young and with this young lady, high spirited and impetuous. I loved it and it is well transcribed in BluRay. I always appreciate period drama films and this one is special because it is from Australia and landscapes and heat add so much to the movie. Don't hesitate to buy it and enjoy every minute!

Finally, after many years of not being able to rent or buy My Brilliant Career,it is out on DVD. I managed to borrow the new edition from the library. It is a quality transfer blessedly NOT produced by A&E!!!

This is an excellent story, excellently produced, directed, and acted! It has gained significance with age. The only reason I can suggest why it took so long for such a top-notch movie to become available is that it is strongly feminist in tone, which by no means reduces the pleasure for the non-political!

I recommend this DVD rendition absolutely! Enjoy, it is wonderful.