The Daughter is an Aussie drama we can all be proud of

WHILE Australian comedies often bring on a bout of cultural cringe, our dramas are top-notch. And this is the next Aussie film you should rush out to see.

WE CAN all agree that when it comes to comedy, Australian filmmakers get it wrong more often than right, bringing on more bouts of cultural cringe than chants at a cricket game. But when it comes to drama, it’s a different story.

Hot off the heels of a strong year for the local film industry with the likes of Mad Max: Fury Road and The Dressmaker, comes The Daughter, a moody and intense story with powerhouse performances from Ewen Leslie, Geoffrey Rush, Miranda Otto, Sam Neill and newcomer Odessa Young.

The Daughter is a family drama set against the backdrop of a small town whose fortunes revolve around the just-closed timber mill owned by Henry Neilson (Rush). Henry’s estranged son, Christian (American actor Paul Schneider, Parks and Recreation), has come home after more than a decade away to be the best man at his father’s wedding to a much-younger housekeeper (Anna Torv).

The cast alone is worth the price of admission.

Christian’s return, as is often the case with a prodigal son, serves as a catalyst for long-buried family secrets to be unearthed.

The Daughter is an impressive debut feature from director Simon Stone. At 31 years old, Stone has been called the “wunderkind” of Australian theatre, having previously been the resident director for Belvoir. He’s also mounted several productions since 2007 that have won him acclaim and a Helpmann Award for Best Play.

So it’s wonderful to see Stone apply his talents to a different medium. The source material for The Daughter isn’t new to Stone — it’s based on Henrik Ibsen play The Wild Duck, which Stone previously adapted for the stage in 2011 but the film is a significant departure from the Norwegian playwright’s words.

Modernised, The Daughter has a beautiful naturalism that is surprising for a first time director, especially one with a theatre background. The film is also imbued with a sense of disciplined drama when it could’ve easily gone for melodrama. It recalls Ray Lawrence movies such as Lantana and Jindabyne in that respect.

But it’s the performances that give The Daughter gravitas. While the ensemble cast is wonderful, Leslie is particularly brilliant as Oliver, best mate to Christian and father of Hedvig, the titular daughter.

Teenager Odessa Young is a star on the rise.

Leslie is able to take his character from a content everyman who’s come to terms with his squandered youth and opportunities to a broken shell with authenticity and empathy. Leslie is one of the most underrated Australian actors with the general public. He’s worked prolifically across film, television and theatre and has a knack for choosing interesting roles with nuance - if you haven’t seen him in Dead Europe, you should.

But it’s Young’s luminous face that will haunt you days after walking out of the cinema. The Daughter is Young’s second film but audiences may recognise her from TV stints on Wonderland and Tricky Business. The teenager’s turn in The Daughter will, justifiably, earn her plaudits — she is able to convey her character’s innocence and complexity with a single look. Young is a star to watch.

The Daughteris in cinemas now.

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