Rating: 
Summary: It is terrible.
Review: Ms. Watson's spitty raspberries every 5 minutes doesn't help matters. This film is about Jacqueline Du Pre and her sister Hilary -- presumably, these are Real People, and, as such, it strikes me as an irresponsible movie. Everyone is despicable to some degree, especially the principals. It's hard to get behind people whom you have no respect for. (I wonder how the surviving members of this family feel about their portrayal herein. Not good about it, I suspect.)There are structural problems as well. Because the crucial incidents of the story are told from two conflicting points of view, we are invited to believe neither of them entirely. And, of course, if we can't believe in the story, there's little chance that we'll CARE about the story. You can (maybe, and only if you're darn good) get away with this sort of thing in novels, but in a 2 hour movie, it's artistic death. I thought the actress playing Hilary was quite good, especially considering the despicably sniveling role she had to portray. But Ms. Watson was simply overwrought as the cellist. It was rather a reprise of her role in "Breaking the Waves". This is simply my opinion, of course, but it seems the plaudits she received from that other film went to her head. She's really not as good as she so obviously thinks she is. Wrapping up, gimmicks like subjective points-of-view, Tinkertoy sisterish feminism, and hackneyed scenes of "closure" (particularly when someone is dying of a horrible illness) are all too common here at the end of the decade, and those of us who refuse to be suckered in by such cliches, ESPECIALLY in what purports to be an "art" film, are really wearying of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Emily Watson radiant in film of family dysfunction.
Review: This is somewhat like attending group therapy in an asylum. Hilary is such a mouse, so co-dependent that she can refuse star sister Jackie nothing, including her own husband. Jackie as played by the brilliant Emily Watson is all frustration, anger, and nervous energy. She is wonderful to watch in all of her character progressions, even though she makes Jackie as a character quite unlikeable. This is a case history in dysfunctional relationships - why was it made? Gone are the days when film biographies were about people who were extraordinary human beings. See this for Watson only - who was deservedly Oscar nommed for the role- she should have won!
Rating: 
Summary: These stars shine bright
Review: Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths deliver stellar performances in this factual account of the life of a disturbed artist and the sister that supported her from the wings. This is a movie that teaches us a lesson in perception. You will walk in the shoes of both characters and leave the movie feeling that you knew them both. One of the best movies of 1998.
Rating:
Summary: The last part of the saga
Review: The trilogy is completed. Star Wars - The Godfather - Hilary and Jacki
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, and both those women deserved Oscars
Review: I've been a fan of Emily's ever since her "Mill on the Floss" on PBS, and I well remember Rachel Griffiths from "Muriel's Wedding." These 2 women and James Frain give believeable, wonderful performances in an overlooked gem of a film. I highly recommend this!
Rating:
Summary: Standing Ovation
Review: Simply brilliant. The acting is dead-on and the telling of the story is creative and fair. I simply love the way we see the sister relationship from both perspectives. It's a beautiful film and the music has stayed with me for years. Highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Absorbing, compelling, brilliant
Review: This totally absorbing movie concerning the life of famous cellist Jacqueline duPré and those around her is based on the book written after her death by her siblings. It charts her life right from her very first performance to her untimely death, beginning with her childhood and then moving through to her adult years where Jackie (Watson) and close sister Hilary (Griffiths) head off their separate ways. The movie manages to sidestep Hollywood drama by giving an unbiased view of the troubled lives of the two sisters. For instance, one particularly affecting act by Jackie is backtracked so the audience gets to see what led her to it. A great deal of its mesmerising quality comes from its two stars. Watson acts her socks off as the world-famous cellist and wisely chooses not to go for the audience's sympathy once her downfall begins. Griffiths is an utter revelation, in a role completely different to that which she played in 'Muriel's Wedding'. She is understated and manages to create a character full with emotional vulnerability but also brimming with fantastic strength. To add to this, the supporting cast don't put a foot wrong. The cello performances are never less than astounding and really bring to the limelight just how talented Jacqueline duPré was. However, it is its depiction of two sisters side-by-side is beautiful and its message that fame isn't everything is subtly stated. The contrasts between the two women, ironically both searching for the same thing yet finding it in different places, are beautifully done. The same can be said for the film's question of whether life is about settling for the best alternative or whether that elusive dream should always be chased. Without doubt this is not only one of the best British movies in years but also something that redeems the true-life drama.
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: Marvelously-acted "true" story -- spoiler in review
Review: I saw this film without prior knowledge of Jackie Du Pre, and was deeply moved by the knockout performances of the two lead actresses and the heatbreakingly beautful and emotionally honest story of the relationship between two sisters. Discovered later all of the controversy surrounding the book and the film, and my comments about that are: though I was not familiar with Du Pre, the depiction in this film made it clear that she was a musical genious and free spirit who stuggled (as an human being would) with the demands of fame, travel, etc. PLUS a terrible, debilitating neurological illness which not only robbed her of the ability to play music but probably directly messed with her head as well. I thought the portrayal of this woman was sympathetic and respectful. Whether or not it actually happened, I find the idea that she (suffering from a bad episode of MS, not knowing what's happening to her, etc.) had a meltdown and decided that sleeping with her sister's husband would make her feel better, to be fully understandanble. If anything, it is Hillary who is presented (I guess by herself) as a willing fool/doormat for agreeing to it while fully healthy and apparently sound of mind. She's left feeling stupid and ashamed when Jackie recovers somewhat and figures out what had been wrong with her. Anyway, I don't want to spend too much time addressing the consternation that many Du Pre fans seem to feel, but I did get from the film that Jackie was an extroardinary talent and that, if some feel that Hillary was cruel in her portrayal of her, I would say that she saved the more vicious barbs for herself. And again, it's just a very well-made film!
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Movie
Review: When I saw this movie with my mother at the movies I was blown away. Seeing what Jackie had to go through with MS hits home for me. I have an aunt and a friend from church who have MS. Watching this movie reminds me of my friend who has MS because she cannot move from the neck down. At the end of the movie when Hilary and her brother are driving home they here on the radio about their sisters death which makes me cry a river of tears. This is my favorite movie. This is a women's movie, but men should see it as well.
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