My Brilliant Career (1979) on Netflix
G19791h 40mBiographyDramaRomance
In 1897 Australia, Sybylla Melvyn dreams of a writing career while her family wants her married. Sent to live with her wealthy grandmother, she meets two suitors, Frank Hawdon and Harry Beecham.
- Netflix3.4/5
- IMDb7.1/105,606 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes86%
Trailer
Plot summary
Sybylla Melvyn lives with her parents on their struggling farm in rural Australia and dreams of writing or performing for a living. Her family thinks she is putting off adult life, so they send her to stay with Grandma Bossier, her wealthy maternal grandmother, hoping she will learn proper manners and find a husband. Sybylla feels out of place in her new surroundings. Frank Hawdon, a jackaroo, pursues her and she pays him no heed. Harry Beecham, a wealthy landowner and a childhood acquaintance, also courts her, and her fondness for him grows. Her Aunt Helen urges her to choose a suitor with prospects over one she loves without them.
Cast
- Patricia Kennedyas Aunt Gussie
- Marion Shadas Gertie
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about My Brilliant Career (1979)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- The actress originally cast as Sybylla in January 1978 was dropped after a costume test convinced the filmmakers she was wrong for the part; Judy Davis was cast in her place, in what became her first leading film role.
- Director Gillian Armstrong brought in editor Ted Ogden to rework the script, which created tension with screenwriter Eleanor Witcombe, who at one point threatened to take her name off the film's credits before deciding against it.
