Nonureva Really Surprised!

Supelice Dreadfully Boring

Jenna Walter The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Kinley This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

JohnLeeT One can not help but be overwhelmed by the power, the stunning brilliance, and incredibly amazing performance by Ms. Emily Watson that assuredly deserved an Academy Award and which shames the Oscars forever because a Paltrow, Berry, or other flunky has received a statue and Watson has been brutally robbed. This is acting at its absolute finest and a role so perfectly realized by Watson that it can never be forgotten by anyone who has seen it. Never in the history of cinema has any actress so completely captured the very soul of a character and transferred it so expertly to film. It is indeed a film for the ages because of what Watson brings to it, the fire and passion she ignites the screen with, and the unbridled superbness of craft she puts forth. One is almost blinded by such brilliance and I was not the only member of the audience to stagger from the theatre upon first viewing of this film, breathless with astonishment and trembling with emotion as I tried to find words to express the depth of my feelings to my evening's companion. I could barely speak the word "Emily" and could see from my companion's eyes she was equally affected by what she had just witnessed and we shared the awe in silence as the dazed audience around us wandered as if numbed into the night. Rarely has a performance touched me in this way and yet with Emily Watson it is par for the course due to an unequaled talent that few if any other actor can begin to approach. I felt pummeled by her work, bruised by her electric might, and singed by her passion. That night was one I will never forget. I have never seen an audience literally struck dumb by a performance in a cinema. Since seeing this film I have found Watson routinely splendid and spectacularly superb in role after role. There is no doubt she is the single greatest living actor working in the English language today and this film serves as a perfect showcase for her magnificent genius.

moonspinner55 In 1950s London, the real-life du Pré sisters--Hilary, a promising flautist, and Jacqueline, an animated, intense cellist--share an ordinary/extraordinary closeness. They are practically telepathic in their thoughts, yet a rivalry over their musical talents is always bubbling under the surface. This extends to their adult lives, as Hilary becomes a devoted wife and mother while Jackie flails away, alternately in contempt of the cello and yet attached to it as if by force. Jackie's neediness, which parlays into an off-putting promiscuousness, nearly breaks the sisterly bond, with Jackie desiring to 'share' Hilary's good-hearted husband. It is at this point in the picture that "Hilary and Jackie" becomes an unfortunate muddle of different melodramatic themes, yet the psychotic undercurrents of Jackie's behavior don't seem to set off any alarms on the screen. As flaky Jackie, Emily Watson (who resembles a young Susannah York) is focused and brave, but she is unable to help us reach this troubled soul (the built-in tragic story-arch doesn't help much, either). Rachel Griffiths has a far less showy role, however her character is one we can relate to (the grounded sister with a firm sense of responsibility). The film is extremely well-produced but, despite some dialogue or situations which ring false, the earliest scenes in the movie are best. It loses its way in the third act, becoming a tangled mess of sad episodes. ** from ****

ItsOKihaveabusinesscard Being an amateur musician I was a little shocked that, until viewing the film 'Hilary and Jackie' [1998, directed by Anand Tucker; starring Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths], I had not had the good fortune to listen to any of Jackie Du Pre's masterful cello work, which now can be heard only through electronic means. I am sorry I never saw her in concert. The world is a poorer place when fine musicians die; for that reason I am very glad I came across this movie and gave it half a chance. My music collection will be richer in content for the Du Pre CDs I am planning to purchase.Rachel Griffiths never disappoints, and she does a splendid job in this film as Hilary Du Pre. Emily Watson's portrayal was somewhat hysterical as a professional musician suffering from multiple sclerosis. It is extremely tragic that this talented woman was cut down by this disease; however, I have trouble believing that her outlandish behavior was caused solely by the MS as the screenwriters would have us believe.Imagine this story having been written by Jacqueline instead of Hilary and Piers; it makes me wonder if Jacqueline would have described her existence as having been largely circumscribed by the MS. Probably not. Most people who have MS, even symphony musicians, maintain their dignity and manage their emotions, at least publicly. I would venture to say that musicians of Jacqueline Du Pre's caliber might develop self-centeredness as a result of precociousness or just sheer dedication to perfection, not to mention the many thousands of hours practicing, alone, with just an instrument for company. At times she must have felt as though the instrument had been permanently chained 'round her waist, with the bow simply a natural extension of her arm. Talk about love/hate relationships. If her MS actually played into the eccentric behavior portrayed in this film that would be a disappointment. I would rather imagine Jacqueline Du Pre happily performing her beautiful music to an appreciative audience, and managing her illness off-stage.Maureen Adele Compton

bcheers From the first scene I knew this was a very special film. I relaxed and let it flow over me.Hilary and Jackie are sisters who share a special bond. Hilary is the star of the family until Jackie decides she will not be outdone and becomes a world renowned cellist.Hilary's talent wanes and she marries and settles for a family life in country England. Jackie travels the world.It is being able to witness the dynamics of the relationship between these sisters that makes the film remarkable. The acting is superb and given the fact that this is based on the biography "A Genius In The Family" by the real-life Hilary Du Pre and her brother, the story is even more absorbing.The soundtrack is beautiful with music by Elgar and Bach.A truly satisfying film which I would recommend to those who love a good story, good music and wonderful acting, direction and cinematography.10/10