''Lilian's Story'' is a 1996 Australian film based on a 1985 novel by Australian author

Kate Grenville Catherine Elizabeth Grenville (born 1950) is an Australian author. She has published fifteen books, including fiction, non-fiction, biography, and books about the writing process. In 2001, she won the Orange Prize for Fiction, Orange Prize for ...

, which was inspired by the life of Bea Miles, a famous

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

nonconformist. The film stars Ruth Cracknell and

Toni Collette Toni Collette (born Collett; 1 November 1972) is an Australian actress, singer, and songwriter. Known for her work in television, blockbusters and independent films, her accolades include a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, wit ...

as Lilian and her younger self, respectively, alongside Barry Otto. Cracknell had been a

Shakespearean William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

actress of the stage for many years.

Plot

Lilian Singer has been institutionalised for a long 40 years by her father. Her Aunt Kitty and her brother, John eventually secure her release, upon which Lilian tries to find her place in the world, against an urban Sydney backdrop. Through a retelling of her back story, we learn how Lilian’s current circumstances came about. And through her rediscovery of the world, Lilian shows us it is never too late to start again - even when you march to the beat of your own drum.

Cast

as Young Lilian Singer * Ruth Cracknell as Lilian Singer * Barry Otto as John Singer * Anne-Louise Lambert as Mother * John Flaus as Frank *

Essie Davis Esther "Essie" Davis is an Australian actress and singer, best known for her roles as Phryne Fisher in '' Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries'' and its film adaptation, '' Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears'', and as Amelia Vanek in '' The Babadook''. ...

as Zara * Matt Doran as Johnny * Jeff Truman as Head Orderly * Kate Agnew as May * Fiona Press as Ruby * Susie Lindeman as Jewel * Fiona Mahl as Alma * Rachael Maza as Shade * Bob Maza as Last TaxI Driver * David Argue as Spruiker * Maggie Kirkpatrick * Rachel Szalay as Inmate 1 * Jacqueline Kott as Op Shop Owner

Reception

'' Variety'' review of the picture commended the acting and called it "a touching saga of an eccentric but tenacious woman who’s haunted by demons from her troubled past."

won the

Australian Film Institute The Australian Film Institute (AFI) was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Cinema of Australia, Australian film indu ...

award for supporting actress for her performance as the young Lilian in this film;John Hartl
"`Lilian's Story,' a favorite at film festival, goes to tape"
''

Seattle Times ''The Seattle Times'' is an American daily newspaper based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1891, ''The Seattle Times'' has the largest circulation of any newspaper in the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region. The Seattle Time ...

'', 9 June 2000. the film was also nominated for best score.

References

External links

*
''Lilian's Story''
at Oz Movies Australian drama films Films based on Australian novels Films scored by Cezary Skubiszewski 1990s English-language films 1990s Australian films {{1990s-Australia-film-stub