The Daughter is an example of how you can make a film with decent-to-good performers, hand them a serviceable script (based on a play by Henrik Ibsen), and produce something that is ultimately bland and mostly boring.
The problems start with the return of Christian (Paul Schneider) from America for his Dad’s marriage. He is a deeply unlikable character, blaming the death of his mother on his alcoholism, and generally being a waste of space. He meets up with his ex-best friend (Oliver, Ewen Leslie) after many years apart, and seems to be determined to break-up his happy marriage by revealing old family secrets.
So, with this self-pitying loser at the centre of the film it needs a stronger character to lift it. Unfortunately, Hedvig (Odessa Young), a clichéd teenager isn’t that person. The plot machinations are signposted way in advance and this stultifying, inert drama lurches on to its very predictable conclusion.
There are a couple of moments where it did spring into life a little. There is a nice tracking shot culminating in a moment of violence at the wedding, and the last few minutes set in a hospital after a near tragic occurrence at least hint at some emotional depth. Sam Neill classes it up a little in a thankless role, but the other top billed actor, Geoffrey Rush, gives a lifeless performance that has become too familiar from him in recent times.
Rating: 3.5 out of 10