​FILMS

the daughter

2016 review number 38:

The Daughter: (Drama): 82 out of 100: Although receiving a general release this year, The Daughter had its premiere last year and is another fine example of the quality Australian films made in 2015. It does take a while to set up but once the characters have been established, the dramatics kick into gear with the revelations in the story playing a pivotal role in capturing your attention. It's an excellent character study supported by a cast that evocatively brings the dialogue to life. 

 

Walter (Geoffrey Rush) is the head of a wealthy family who owns and operates the town's timber mill. He is making preparations for his marriage to ex-housekeeper, Anna (Anna Torv). Walter's son Christian (Paul Schneider) returns home from the US after a 15 year absence to attend his father's wedding. When Walter closes the mill, many people lose their jobs including Oliver (Ewan Leslie) who is happily married to Charlotte (Miranda Otto). They have a resilient daughter named Hedvig (Odessa Young). Oliver's father is Henry (Sam Neill) who might have spent some time in prison, but seems to be happier with his life than Walter. Their families are intricately connected even though they come from opposite ends of the financial spectrum.

 

Although there is a tinge of melodrama, the unravelling of the story lends itself well to the actions adopted by the characters. This all adds up to some tense and powerful moments which will shock and affect your emotions. There is a slow build-up but once those revelations hit you with their full force, they become all the more meaningful. The slow pacing actually aids in developing the characters.

 

This is Odessa Young's second film yet she holds her own in comparison to her older, more accomplished colleagues. She becomes the catalyst of the plot shift and if it wasn't for her brilliant acting, the nuances of her character might not have been realised as well as they have here. The internationally acclaimed actors in Rush, Neill and Otto convince in their portrayals and demonstrate why so many Australians have succeeded abroad. Schneider and Leslie as the two sons from contrasting families have several meaty moments that showcase their acting range. 

 

Simon Stone, the film's writer and director, has based his work on Ibsen’s The Wild Duck. He is more widely known as a theatre director but he shows that he knows how to avoid a theatrical setting by keeping his camera on the go. There might be a few moments of shaky camera movements but they are surprisingly effective in projecting the frantic thoughts and actions of the characters, especially when their worlds are turned upside-down.  

 

The Daughter is a fine addition to the classic library of Australian films. It just goes to show that Australians are capable of making exemplary films which are emotional, thought-provoking and powerful. The notion that Aussies are only good at making unusual, quirky films can be laid to rest by this quality drama.

 

Starring Geoffrey Rush, Miranda Otto, Paul Schneider, Ewen Leslie, Odessa Young, Anna Torv and Sam Neill

(96 mins)

Parental advice: Coarse language, sex scene, sexual references and adult themes

Additional scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaC-SrFdRZg (Movie trailer)

 

(Reviewed on Monday 29th February, 2016)

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