Rating: 
Summary: Compelling and emotionallly wrenching biopic of sorts.
Review: In watching this film, it's best to disregard (at least momentarily) the hype surrounding the due Pre family's book, A Genius in the Family, and the criticism heaped upon the director and screenwriter for their interpretation of English cellist Jacqueline du Pre's life. The film is a gorgeous, lush, and heartbreaking take on the lives of the du Pre sisters, and if it leads more people to discover Jacqueline du Pre's fascinating life story and music (as it did me), it will have done its job capably.The cinematography of this film is stunning (yes, even if the 360-degree shot is the gimmick du jour), and its structure (almost like a duet between the two musical sisters) innovative. Emily Watson, a genius in her own right, has the flashy, tragic role, which she pulls off with multidimensional vigor, but Rachel Griffiths plays Hilary with an empathy-inducing, quiet melancholy. The scene of Jacqueline in the ravages of MS, flailing to turn up the recording of her Elgar concerto so that her almost-deaf ears can feel the vibrations, is nothing short of devastating.
Rating:
Summary: AS CLOSE AS TWO SISTERS CAN BE...
Review: This is an outstanding film with bravura performances by all the
actors and actresses who grace it. Emily Watson is dazzling as world renowned cellist, Jacqueline Du Pre, and Rachel Griffiths gives a heartwarming portrayal of Hilary, the more grounded Du Pre sister. British director Anand Tucker does a masterful job of capturing and exploring the often complex and symbiotic relationship between these two sisters, one of whom reaches heights in the music world of which most may only dream. Most of the film is bifurcated in that it is told from the perspective of each of the sisters, with the same scenarios being viewed through the eyes of one sister at any given time. The film opens with a scene of the young sisters playing on the beach, with an enigmatic adult figure on the shore whom the younger of the sisters, Jackie, approaches. They speak, but what transpires between the young Jackie and this solitary figure is only made manifest at the conclusion of the film. The viewer is then thrust into the Du Pre household, where it is clear that their lives revolve around music, with Jackie playing the cello and Hilary the flute. A pivotal moment in the film occurs when Hilary is invited to participate in a televised children's concert, and Jackie is not. Jackie is told by their mother that if she wishes to get such an invitation that she must play better. This is an edict that Jackie takes to heart and adopts with abandon, becoming relentless in her devotion to the cello, until it is she, and not Hilary, who becomes the one in demand and the one to whom slavish attention is given. This is a portent of things to come. Therein lies the seed for the subtle rivalry that is to last their entire lives, though they remain as close as two sisters can be. Jackie goes on to become one of the world's most renowned cellists. That Hilary sublimates herself to her sister is obvious, even when ballroom dancing together, as it is Jackie who leads Hilary. This was to remain the pattern for most of their respective lives. While the shy and seemingly insecure Hilary eventually marries a man who makes her feel special and important, it is Jackie who continues to dazzle, even in the marriage arena, marrying a world class pianist with whom she makes beautiful music, until she is struck by a fatal illness. As Jackie's world spirals out of control, Hilary is leading the placid life of a country squiress, having children and playing at local concerts, happily married to a man who is clearly devoted to her. Jackie intrudes on their idyllic life, and in her frenetic fashion turns their world upside down during a visit sans her husband, when she obviously horns in on Hilary's husband. What happens next is sure to shock even the most jaded of viewers. As Jackie grows more successful in the music world, her personal life spirals out of control. Her passion for the cello is often countermanded by the pains she takes to try to divest herself of the demanding instrument that seemingly controls her life, as her passion and musical genius begin to consume her to the exclusion of all else. Her tortured soul is finally set free, when she succumbs to her fatal illness, a lonely and tragic figure at the end, mourned most of all by Hilary. This is a movie that music lovers and anyone who loves a beautifully directed and well-acted film will appreciate and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: It's a movie, folks
Review: I think that many reviewers are hung up on who the real Jacqueline duPre was and therefore do not appreciate the films numerous redeeming qualities and instead concentrate on Emily Watson's cello-playing. The film is deeply moving, superbly acted, and, more than anything, succeeds as a work of art. I'm sorry I am being so vague about it, but I haven't seen the film in a few years and anyway there are enough plot synopses here to get you through. My recommendation is that you watch this film. (If it means anything, I am a 3rd year male college student, and my musical background is limited to playing the clarinet for only about nine years, so I am no authority on the cello. But this movie really isn't about playing the cello. I wish some people would understand that.)
Rating: 
Summary: Relationship of sisters and talent of actors worth watching
Review: A compelling story, and the two talented actors through which it is told, makes this film definitely worth seeing. I was fascinated by Rachel Griffith's and Emily Watson's portrayal of the interaction between the two sisters. Hilary and Jackie were presented as highly evolved spirtually as well as musically, despite their human failings. Rachel Griffiths was the real star, in my opinion, as the one of the two embracing ordinary life with wide-eyed wonderment (as many of us in real life do). Griffith's Hilary evoked sympathy as she sometimes struggled with her choices, but ultimately she was not a desparate doormat. Emily Watson also more than capably played Jackie to evoke admiration as well as sorrow. In contrast to Hilary, Jackie seemed not surprised or challeged by her success but rather, disappointed by it. Watson's repeated expressions of simultaneous selfishness and sincerity was a real demonstration of acting talent and understanding of her character. I envied the relationship of the two women and at the same time, cried for all that they could not share. Though the DuPre sisters are real people, I saw this film as an allegory with Hilary and Jackie representing two different sides of genius. Thanks to the chemistry and talent of Griffiths and Watson in bringing the allegory to life, the film was thoroughly enjoyable and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Touching drama with 2 superb leads...
Review: I have watched Hilary and Jackie for three times so far and the film is so touching for me that I wept every time. It is my favourite movie of 1998. The success of the film is largely contributed by the perfect performance of Emily Watson (Breaking the Waves, The Boxer). I was really shocked by her glamour and incomparable acting ability and she should have won the Oscar in Oscar '99 instead of Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love. Rachel Griffiths is equally good as Hilary though in a more implicit way. The music is awesome, esp Elgar's and Dvorak's Cello Concertos playing throughout the film. It's a masterpiece and I give Hilary and Jackie 9.5 out of 10!
Rating: 
Summary: Gravely disappointing
Review: I just didn't buy the premise of this movie, painting Hilary as long-suffering and Jackie as capricious. There was very little indication of what made her the great musician that she was. The whole family was a little sick, but I think Hilary was the really certifiable one. I have always loved Emily Watson, but this performance was not among her best. The mimed cello playing was unconvincing. The fox-like Rachel Griffiths had some moving scenes, but this seemed like a self-serving attempt of an ordinary soul to "set the record straight" about her brilliant sister. The movie also suffered from inept concert sequences and the usual misguided cinematic attempts to portray the life of classical musicians. The whole thing left a profoundly sour taste in my mouth. Why not look at a video of Du Pre performing to cleanse the palate?
Rating: 
Summary: This movie made me wanna blow a raspberry.
Review: I give this movie three stars mainly because as a classical musician myself, this movie kind of dealt with when I went away to study abroad at Brevard for six weeks. And it's true for almost any musician that most of your days are spent either rehearsing or performing. And I can relate so much to Jackie because I wanted to get serious with my musical talent, but the traveling and touring and publicity took a toll on me. And I wanted to have a normal life like Hilary where she settles down with her husband, haves babies, and raises chickens on a farm. But then Jackie reveals the unthinkable when she wants to sleep with Kiffer. Also this isn't a great movie to watch if you're a young viewer who wanted to know more about Jackie's life as a musician. Some material on here is rather offensive, provocative, and bizarre. I was a little disappointed with the visual effects. She uses the "f" word quite often and there's quite a bit of nudity.
Overall I'd still give it three stars because some parts of the movie were fictional or didn't quite make sense. But in some cases, it shows unconditional love as sisters. Hilary was by her side when Jackie had MS and right before her death. In my opinion, the book "Hilary and Jackie" is much better than the movie--mainly because it tells what really went on. I think you better read the book first before watching the movie.
Rating:
Summary: this movie is all wrong
Review: I'm sorry to all of you people who feel like this is a good movie. It's not. This is an absolutely terrible movie. I'm a cellist myself studying at a conservatory of music and Jackie is my cello idol. This movie portrays her terribly and Emily Watson, who is attempting to imitate Jackie playing, does a terrible job. If you really want to see what Jacquelin du Pre was like, then go buy an actual biographical video of her that they have here at amazon.com or you can go to sharmusic.com. I'm sorry, but this was an absolutely terrible movie and any cellist that knows anything about Jackie will agree.
Rating:
Summary: evocative, gritty, and tragic
Review: "Hilary and Jackie" is highly similar to the 2001 film "A Beautiful Mind." Both films paint intriguing if somewhat embellished portraits of brilliant oddballs, but then how many biographical films aren't embellished? This movie follows the lives of the musical sisters Hilary and Jacklyn DuPre. In the beginning, a very young Hilary shows promise on the flute while her little sister Jacklyn is introduced to the cello. As the dedicated Hilary struggles to improve, the precocious Jacklyn grows increasingly accomplished and stuns the world with her pyrotechnic playing. All in all the film is a poignant look at the ramifications of genius. Emily Watson is pleasing to watch as the passionate cellist, and Rachel Griffiths (of Six Feet Under fame) does a heartbreaking job of portraying a girl living in the shadow of her brilliant sister.
Rating:
Summary: hilary and jackie: my sister and i
Review: this is one of the most beautiful, insightful and deep movies i have ever seen!
i have a very similar relationship with my own sister. we saw it together and wept for hours!
we also ran to buy a hilary dupré cd, directed by baremboim. i imagine that when i die, it would be like the way she departed; and that i am going to come back through the sea, almost floating, just to say to my sister "everything is going to be ok"... the actresses are remarkable. also thanks the director for such awsome picture! saskia levy.
|
