Snowy River Relationships

The Man from Snowy River

The Man from Snowy River is a film about a man who loses his father, as well as his horse to a pack of wild horses. During the course of the film, the viewer experiences how the relationship between two of the main characters develops. Jim Craig, the main character who loses his horse and Jessica Harrison, Jim’s eventual love interest are different, but similar as well. Jim is an adventurous cowboy that lives in the mountains of Australia. Jessica is a young woman who lives in the “flats” of Australia. As characters, Jim and Jess are independent, hardworking, and attracted to each other. Despite their similarities, they’re also very different. While Jim is outgoing, Jess is quiet and reserved. Though Jim and Jessica have many differences between them, their similarities are abundant as well, and it is these similarities and differences that significantly change their behavior during the course of the film.
Jim and Jessica are connected to many people in the plot and they are both connected to some of the same people.
Jim is the son of Henry Craig, who tragically dies in an accident. After the accident, Jim comes down to work for Mr. Harrison. Jessica is Mr. Harrison’s daughter and Jim’s love interest. Jessica has an uncle named Spur. Jim knows Spur because he and his father are in the mining business together before the accident. These common relationships thrust Jim and Jessica into circumstances that impact their lives. For example, Spur is Jessica’s uncle and also has a close relationship with Jim through his father. His actions in taking care of Jim after his father died and bringing Jessica back home after she ran away is crucial in bringing the two characters closer together. Spur’s kind actions provide a catalyst to Jim and Jessica’s developing relationship toward each
other.

Jim and Jessica have different personalities than each other. Jim is very nice to people, but doesn't get along very well with Mr. Harrison. He also grew up on the mountains and works very well with horses. Jessica is a very serious character and goes by the code that if a man can do it, a woman can to. She loves working out in the fields with the horses even though her father doesn’t approve. Despite their differences, the relationship is solid and becomes stronger throughout the film. The belief that opposites do attract is supported by these two different characters falling in love.

Mr. Harrison is not liked very much by Jim and Jessica. Jim doesn't like Mr. Harrison because Mr. Harrison will not allow Jessica to marry a “child” who can’t support a woman who comes from great wealth. Mr. Harrison gets on Jessica’s bad side when he forces her to be a lady. After Jessica refuses, her father slaps her. Acting on her impulses, she runs away and nearly dies by falling down a cliff during a bad thunderstorm, which Jim saves her from. Jessica’s actions in running away from her father set in action the events that eventually drive her into Jim’s arms.

Throughout The Man from Snowy River the two main characters similarities and differences help to develop their relationship with each other. The similarities in their relationships with other characters and their differences in personalities both bring them into a loving relationship as the plot develops. Their behavior and actions, not just to others, but to each other produces a successful conclusion to the film’s storyline.