Jessica

2004 ""

Jessica

7.5 | 3h16m | en | Drama

The Bergman sisters could not be more different. Jessica is a feisty tomboy who loves to help her father work their farmland. Her beautiful sister Meg is eagerly being groomed by her mother Hester (Lisa Harrow) to be the perfect wife, so that she can marry her way out of poverty. However, when the man, Jack Thomas, who Meg has set her sights on falls in love with Jessica and gets her pregnant, Hester schemes to wrench the couple apart to claim Jessica's son, Joey for Meg. Later she commits Jessica to a mental asylum. It is here that Jessica receives news of her lover's death and almost loses hope, but after enlisting the help of Mr. Runche, a down and out lawyer battling alcoholism, she is eventually released. Years later, it is the reformed Runche who gives Jessica the courage to fight for the return of her child. Eventually Meg and Hester call an uneasy truce with Jessica, and allow her to play a role in Joey's life as his aunt.

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7.5 | 3h16m | en | Drama , TV Movie | More Info

Released: July. 18,2004 | Released Producted By: , Country: Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:

Synopsis

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Cast

Sam Neill , Leeanna Walsman , Lisa Harrow

Director

Mark Rogers

Producted By

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Trailers & Images

Cast

Sam Neill

as Richard Runche

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Leeanna Walsman

as Jessica Bergman

Bosch & Rockit Penguin Bloom 2067 Safe Harbour Manny Lewis Star Wars: Bounty Hunter - Beyond The Game Caught Inside $9.99 The Informant

Lisa Harrow

as Hester Bergman

Destination Love Step Dave Jessica Jessica Sunday Kavanagh Q.C. The Last Days of Chez Nous Nonni und Manni Lizzie's Pictures

Reviews

jamesmoule Reading other reviews of this mini-series confirms my belief that it is one that people either love or hate. The reason is more than likely the plot of the novel by Bryce Courtenay. Either the viewer will see this as an astonishing true story of deception or a whole pack of lies. If you can't believe the story, both the book and the film will be difficult to enjoy. Having read the book first, I found the mini-series a very faithful adaptation. The characters in the book were accurately portrayed in the film and the acting was first class all round. We are used to BBC dramas with painstaking attention to period detail but it is rare to see an Australian story from the early 1900s in which so much care is taken with historical accuracy. The central tablelands villages of Carcoar and Millthorpe provide perfect backdrops, having been maintained as 19th century towns. I wonder did anyone notice that the sign on one of the buildings in "Narrandera" (actually Carcoar) had the town name spelled as it was in 1890? That level of attention to detail is typical of the fine work of the creators of this exceptional mini-series.

crazy_pinkchick This is the mini series based on the novel Jessica by Bryce Courtenay. It was well written and the characters were well played; however I felt as though there was a lot of material missing that was in the novel that would have been significant to the story. I understand that it would have been difficult to have everything from the novel in the movie. I was satisfied with the movie though I enjoyed the book much more. I had just finished reading the book, and watching the story and the characters come to life was great. It made me cry just as much as the book. If you liked the mini series then I insist you read the book. It is a great read and a very moving story. It will help you understand the story better.

moose_on_the_loose_101 I may not be a film critic, but I know a good piece of film when I see it and I know that I loved Jessica. Contrary to what others may think, I thought this was an amazing movie. Having never read the book, I see this film differently as I have no previous expectations, and nothing ruins an adaptation more than expectations. Nevertheless I thought there was some brilliant acting by fellow Aussies Leeanna Walsman, Oliver Ackland,(not just a pretty face)and the unbelievably amazing Sam Neil. I found Ackland and Walsman captivating, as was their on screen chemistry, what's a good love story without chemistry, right? oh and a few evil family members. These actors brought their characters to life. I mark a good movie by its ability to move the audience. If it can make me cry, laugh, yell out in anger, hide in embarrassment, then obviously the actors are doing something right! I did find it hard to find faults in the film, apart from the absence of a traditional happy ending, but then they tend to sometimes be a tad clique and corny, don't they? Ending aside I found this a memorable piece of Aussie drama. I applaud everyone involved, you should be proud. Hopefully if it's released onto DVD, GW, It will certainly find a place in my collection.

AstrayLiana Though I only had an extra part I can highly recommend this film as a superb drama. A true story set in colonial Australia in the early 1900's. A very good adaptation of Bryce Courtenay's book "Jessica" (well worth the read) to the screen. Leanna Walsman gives a powerful performance in the title role and Sam Neill as the rummy solicitor gives a fine portrayal, while you'll love to hate Lisa Harrow's character of Jessica's mother, Hester. The realism brought to this film by the excellent cast makes for some very unnerving scenes, especially in the insane asylum. Filmed on locations in and around New South Wales and Sydney.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! ! !