Directed by Leah Purcell
Written by Leah Purcell
Starring Leah Purcell, Rob Collins, Sam Reid, Jessica De Gouw
The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson has a bit of a literary history. Based on the story by Henry Lawson, director Leah Purcell has shaped that iconic look at the outback character into something darker and less romanticised than previous works. The result is a more realistic examination of Lawson’s bush myth, one that acknowledges aspects of domestic life and our historical character that are often hidden.
With a remote property to look after, a handful of kids plus one more soon on the way, and her husband away, Molly Johnson (Leah Purcell) has a tough life. However, when she discovers an escaped Indigenous prisoner (Rob Collins) collapsed by her wood pile, she fears that a number of her secrets may soon be uncovered.
This is a confronting look at Australia’s past, bringing us face to face with issues such as domestic violence and genocide. In doing this, it balances the Outback myth with the historical truth. It recognises the resilience of many, while not shying away from the horrors that have been done in the name of “civilisation” and “progress”. As such, The Drover’s Wife is often an uneasy watch, but a necessary one.
As a director Purcell vividly brings The Drover’s Wife to the screen as a beautifully shot and acted period recreation. As an actor she is the embodiment of strength and determination on screen, without allowing the character to be dehumanised by fading into a mere icon. Her Molly is a richly realised, living, breathing portrayal, and the strength of the film.
However, despite Purcell having adapted this work to multiple formats, this version feels like it could have had one more pass at the script to tighten up the story and clarify a few points. There’s also a few times when either the emotive score or the cinematic style works a little too hard in their attempt to elicit emotion from the audience. The story is there, the performances are there, the visuals are there, but occasionally Purcell seems to lack the confidence that the message has been conveyed and over eggs it.
Still that is a minor complaint. Overall The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson vividly brings to life Australia’s past, and allows us a view of it less tinged by the romanticism of previous centuries.
