The drama film, My Brilliant Career is an Australian historical movie inspired by the 1902 work of the author Miles Franklin by the same name. The film has been the directorial work of Gillian Armstrong, while the screenplay has come from Eleanor Witcombe.
Released in 1979 on the 17th of August in Australia, the period drama has received an array of accolades like Best film, Best Direction in AACTA Awards, among others, along with good critical reviews. Margaret Fink has produced the movie, while Donald McAlpine has been credited for the film’s screenplay.
Who were the stars in the movie?
- Judy Davis portraying Sybylla Melvyn
- Wendy Hughes portraying Aunt Helen
- Sam Neill portraying Harry Beecham
- Aileen Britton portraying Grandma Bossier
- Simone Buchanan portraying Mary-Anne
- Robert Grubb portraying Frank Hawdon
- Aaron Wood portraying Stanley
- Max Cullen portraying Mr. McSwatt
- Peter Whitford portraying Uncle Julius
- David Franklin portraying Horace
- Marion Shad portraying Gertie
- Sue Davies portraying Aurora
- Gordon Piper portraying Barman
- Patricia Kennedy portraying Aunt Gussie
About the plot of My Brilliant Career
The story focuses on a young girl named Sybylla Melvyn, who lives in a rural area. Set in late 19th century Australia, the movie shows the aspiring dreams of the protagonist. She is considered a disregard to the family for having the wish to have a career in writing. In the hope that she would change her opinions and behave according to the set rules of society, her parents sent her to her wealthy grandmother.
At her maternal grandmother’s place, she develops a fondness for her childhood friend Harry Beecham which progressively increases with time. Upon knowing about their budding romance, her aunt Helen tells her to marry Harry for the sake of friendship and not love.
But their growing closeness is halted by Frank, who is envious of their relationship and spreads false rumors about the same. But to the utter shock of Sybylla, Harry proposes to her at the ball but rejects her on the pretext that her priority is her career and he would have to wait for her.
Her grandmother asks her to work at the neighbor’s place regarding her father’s money to them. She teaches children to read. After having been proposed by Harry for the second time, Sybylla is upset. But she politely explains that she aspires to be a writer and that their marriage would not make that possible.
Upon coming back to her parent’s home, Sybylla works on her dream and names her work- My Brilliant Career, and sends it to a big publishing house in the hope of getting her dreams fulfilled.
Where can the movie be watched?
The movie My Brilliant Career can be viewed by the audience on HBO Max, Criterion Channel, as it’s streaming there. Other than this, the film can also be purchased and downloaded from the iTunes store or can be rent on the online platform of Apple iTunes. Unfortunately, the movie is not yet available to stream for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ subscribers.
