Academy Award-nominated drama by Australian director Gillian Armstrong, telling the turbulent story of one womans fight for independence. Sybylla Melvyn (Judy Davis) is the eldest daughter of an impoverished New South Wales farming family. Bold and determined, she dreams of succeeding as an acclaimed writer. But in a time of sexist ignorance and bigotry, Sybylla has frequent clashes with procrustean conformists - though it turns out to be her love for the dashing Harry Beacham (Sam Neill) that truly tests her desire to succeed as a writer. As events twist and turn, Sybylla is painfully forced to realise the emotional cost of putting her career before love.