Tedious, laboured and exceedingly uninspired melodrama. I have not read the novel from which the screenplay was adapted, but on the basis of the mother and daughter as represented here, there is reason to question whether we should accept Patrick White as having any clue about female sexuality. It may have seemed better on paper. The musical soundtrack was also poor.

Subdued but ultimately effective drama seems at least partly inspired by CRIES & WHISPERS -- especially Rampling's bedroom scenes, though the drama is not at Bergman's level of intensity. The three leads are excellent; Davis particularly stands out in a searing portrait of twitchy insecurity, and the supporting cast is peppered with the cream of the Australian acting crop. Schepisi once again proves himself a master of the scope format, with scenic shots of Sydney often breathtakingly framed.