Break of Day

"Break of Day" is a quintessentially Australian film that premiered in 1976, weaving a compelling narrative around a World War I theme meticulously wrapped in a trove of romance, drama, and intricacies of human relationships. Led by the acclaimed performances of Sara Kestelman, Andrew McFarlane, and Ingrid Mason, the film unfolds a poignant tale of tender love, memory, war, prevailing gender norms, and the human condition set in rural Australia during the early 20th century.

We follow the journey of the protagonist, Tom Cooper, portrayed by the remarkable Andrew McFarlane, a young soldier recently back from the devastating World War I. The mental and physical tumult of war has left him emotionally tormented and he's grappling to piece together a semblance of normalcy. Tom could not be entirely dissociated from the jarring memories of the battlefield and attempts to find solace and meaning in his passion for drawing.

On his quest for tranquility, he moves to a remote town and lodges in a spare room provided by an affable couple. This change of scenery and interaction with the townsfolk does provide a temporary respite, but his world takes a turn when he crosses paths with the intriguing Daisy (Sara Kestelman), a city girl living with her eccentric aunt. She stands as a stark contrast to the women around him, challenging the expected womanly norms and conventions of the time period, intriguing Tom in the process.

As an artist, Tom finds in Daisy a perfect muse for his drawings. The two form a complex bond that vacillates between friendship and romance, each getting acquainted with their deeply entrenched individuality and understanding their worlds. Sara Kestelman, through her profoundly nuanced performance, radiates the strength, vulnerability, and inquisitive nature core to Daisy's character. Together with Andrew McFarlane, they create an absorbing dyad that keeps the audience engrossed in the evolving dynamics of their relationship.

On the other end of the spectrum is Tom’s ex-girlfriend, Anita, played by Ingrid Mason. Anita epitomizes the conventional expectations of women in the Australian society of the 1920s. Her juxtapositioning with Daisy provides thought-provoking insight into the societal norms and the restricted role of women during this time.

“Break of Day” is much more than the story of an ex-soldier's life in post-war Australia. It communicates a multitude of underlying themes and complex emotions which interplay with the plot's progression. Director Ken Hannam and screenwriter Cliff Green weave this narrative brilliantly, paying meticulous attention to every detail. They craft a poetic visualization of characters set against the picturesque milieu of rural Australia, the textures of which complement the depth and rawness of the plot.

The commendable performances of Sara Kestelman, Andrew McFarlane, and Ingrid Mason drive the narrative of "Break of Day" competently within the framework, serving an unwavering authenticity to the characters they portray. They bring to life the distinctive personalities that paint a vivid picture of human emotions, societal norms, and the aftermath of war.

The film does an excellent job of encapsulating the ethos of rural Australia during the early 20th century, both visually and culturally. It threads through the harrowing experiences of the war protagonist and explores the female characters' interactions with the societal norms and values of the time, aiding the viewers to empathize with the characters' plight.

While "Break of Day'' is entrenched deeply in an austere background, it is equally infused with moments of humor, love, and friendship making it a multi-dimensional narrative that many viewers would appreciate. The film warrants critical attention not simply for the exceptional performances of Kestelman, McFarlane, and Mason, but also for the delicate themes and powerful storytelling that pervade it. For those who enjoy timeless tales spun around war, love, and human struggles, “Break of Day” constitutes a testament to a lost era, whose ripples still resonate with modern viewers.