Rating: 
Summary: A dishonest movie about a woman who can't defend herself now
Review: And people said Fight Club was a vicious movie! This is a dreaful film adaptation of an even more dreadful book. It's all frightfully frightfully English and Jacqueline du Pre appears like an English version of "Baby Jane Hudson, the early years." There's no intellectual content at all in this film, no evidence of Jacqueline's du Pre's talent as a musician, and still less, no evidence of her own highly unique personality; All she's made to look like is an unwashed dysfunctional running about the set in faux 60's style clothes. I can't believe she was such an unsympathetic character as she appears in this movie. Another aspect of the film that everyone famous, from Daniel Barenboim to Margot Fonteyn, are played as the shallowest of man and womankind who dropped du Pre when she was of no further use to them. Nothing could be further from the truth. The great movie going public who will see this film are not going to reach for du Pre's wonderful recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto and hear the real "Jackie" after seeing this abysmally fearful farrago. Jacqueline du Pre's brother and sister, Piers and Hilary, should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for producing the book in the first place. And, I suppose, they sobbed all the way to the bank! There is one consolation; they are both absolutely persona non grata now and forever in the music world.
Rating: 
Summary: beautiful and evocative
Review: This is an outstanding portrayal of two sisters who share a love of music and each other. The bond between them was brilliantly portrayed by Emily and Rachel and they should both have won Oscars. I did not know very much about Jaqueline's real life prior to this movie so I cannot comment on any factual discrepancies. All I can say is that the movie moved me and the story told is easily as tragic as that in Shine. The pressure put upon young musicians who show extraordinary talents is well displayed, and the scenes where Jackie is playing away from home to huge audiences but has no-one to support her, tear at the heartstrings almost as much as the brilliant Cello playing. I would recommend this movie to all musicians or anyone who loves music. It demonstrates that the truly great musicians do not just appear, they give their whole lives over to the art
Rating:
Summary: CLINT & JOHN
Review: Second movie of British director Anand Tucker, HILARY & JACKIE is an absolutely must see for those of you (I hope there's at least one survivor !) who appreciate the filmed biographies genre. HILARY & JACKIE's screenplay has been inspired by the book A GENIUS IN THE FAMILY, written by Hilary and Piers du Pré, respectively sister and brother of the famous cellist Jacqueline du Pré who died a few years ago at the age of 42. One follows the common beginnings, the separation from her family, the musical triumphs of Jacqueline du Pré, her marriage with the great pianist Daniel Barenboim, her battle with the terrible illness she has suffered from and, finally, her last days in complete loneliness. But that's of public notoriety and is only the spinal column of a movie that plunges in the intimate feelings of the two sisters. Beautiful, gifted and young, Jacqueline du Pré had everything to be happy but, if you take her sister's opinion for granted, she was not. She had given her body and her soul to the cello that was her companion through her life. Under the camera of Anand Tucker, this cello will become a subtle metaphor of the torments of the artist. The numerous scenes involving a Jackie unable to communicate (foreign languages, inaccurate phone numbers, illness) leave also a bitter taste in our mouth ; the music has eaten alive this genius. And last but not least, you will find in HILARY & JACKIE a first class cinematography one wouldn't have expected to find in such a movie. Director Anand Tucker has without doubt the future for him. A word for Emily Watson too : after Lars Von Trier's masterpiece BREAKING THE WAVES, she gives here an OUTSTANDING performance that leaves far behind the performances of today's feminine new stars. A DVD for your library. YES.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Genius
Review: Is Emily Watson a genius? This movie had a heart wrenching effect on me. The style of the piece, coupled with the music and the amazing performances by Watson and Rachel Griffiths (both Oscar nominated) were almost overwhelming. The beauty of the movie is that it shows us its subjects (famed cellist Jacqueline DuPre and her decidedly lesser known, yet talented sister Hilary) so objectively. Just when I started to believe that the film narrative structure had reach its zenith, I see "Hilary and Jackie," and gain new hope. The finale of the movie will completely blow you away, I am certain. It is a movie I wish everyone could see! I can't say enough good things about it.
Rating:
Summary: Intense and frenetic
Review: Excellent film. I've always loved Emily Watson and she is excellent in this film as always. The story is incredibe, disturbing at times. Ultimately, however, it is a story of sisters and their love for each other. The score is beautiful and the film is greatly enhanced by it as well as the playing of DuPre herself. This movie is essential for music lovers. I have always loved the cello and its unique emotional impact. Also, Griffiths' performance, though understated, equals Watson's in its clarity and scope.
Rating: 
Summary: How Long is Too Long?
Review: This movie is too long by half. In fact, ten minutes would be too long for this film. Maybe it had a screenplay, but you can't tell it from the movie. It feels as if the director said to himself, "I read the book, I'll just shoot what I feel." There was probably a deadline, and the editor(s) just gave up, trying to assemble the hodge-podge. At least there was enough money to make it look pretty. The thing is full of repetetive and confusing flashbacks. I don't know whether the acting is any good, because the characters are all cardboard cut-outs. According to the soundtrack, Jackie knew a few snatches of Bach sonatas and the Elgar concerto. Maybe she knew Twinkle-Twinkle, too. Hillary is a goody two shoes, devoted to family. Jackie is a selfish, shallow nonentity, obsessed with sex. In one frequent flashback, where the girls are exchanging verbal abuse, Hillary tells Jackie she is nothing without her cello. Jackie's death is a blessing for everyone but her. As for sleeping with Hillary's husband, it is possible to say "no" even to primadonnas. What does that say about Hillary's courage; I can't find any of her flute recordings? The main problem here are the two new styles of biography. One thinks we need to know about every bathroom break in a person's life. I'm reading one now on Jefferson, like that--tedious. There is also one on Horowitz. The other new biographic form presents the thesis that the accomplishments and creations of our geniuses and heroes are completely nullified by their character flaws. This movie is one of those biographies. What rubbish! If you want to read others, there's one on Leonard Bernstein by Peyser and one on Picasso by Huffington. If this movie is at all true to the book, then preserve us from the love and affection of siblings like Hillary and Piers.
Rating: 
Summary: Good film, but read the book too (spoiler alert)
Review: Although "Hilary and Jackie" is an interesting film in and of itself, I can understand why many people in the music industry who knew Jacqueline du Pre--even Hilary's own daughter Claire--denounced the film as a highly inaccurate picture of this world-famous cellist. The movie is said to be based on Hilary and her brother Piers' memoir, "A Genius in the Family," but those who read the book will notice crucial differences in the timing and interpretation of certain events. I don't know if Hilary advised on or approved of the final product, but the filmmakers have made numerous changes, apparently to exaggerate the supposed rivalry between the sisters. The early scene, for example, in which Jacqueline's mother tells her after an unsuccessful concert that if she wants to play with Hilary, she must play as well as Hilary. This admonition supposedly sets Jacqueline off in maniacal practicing, but Hilary's memoir makes it clear that Jackie practiced the cello diligently, and that her phenomenal talent was obvious, from day one. Later, Jacqueline's on-screen family is shocked when she sends her laundry home from Vienna (what are we, servants?), yet the book treats it as nothing callous, merely a way to stay in touch (notes and presents also went back and forth in the laundry). Nor does the book mention the sisters' alleged late-night conversation--"you're not special", etc.--or present Jacqueline's husband as so shallow and self-centered. Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths both deserved their nominations, but I'd recommend reading the book, too, just to give both sisters a fair shake.
Rating:
Summary: Touches the Heart
Review: An excellent film by Anand Tucker, Hillary and Jackie takes the viewers in an emotional and musical journey into the lives of the Du Pre sisters. It shows the story from two perspectives, making the characters three-dimensional and it really helps the viewers understand the motivations for each of the main characters' actions. Excellent acting by Emily Watson as well as her co-actors. The writer and editor deserve praises too.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Brilliant !
Review: See this movie ! It will break your heart, lift and then dash your spirits, enlighten you, elate you, confound you, and beat you over the head with its music and its truth.
Rating:
Summary: Great motion picture showing true love between sisters!
Review: The acting was so good, we could barely think Hilary & Jackie the actresses were sisters in real life. An astonishing performance, and a great interpretation of that musical true story. However, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, especially for those who like action and violence movies only.
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