Hilary and Jackie
Hilary and Jackie

Movie spotlight

Hilary and Jackie

1998
Movie
121 min
English

The tragic story of world-renowned cellist Jacqueline du Pré, as told from the point of view of her sister, flautist Hilary du Pré-Finzi.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Metacritic74/100
Google Users80%
Director: Anand TuckerGenres: Biography, Drama, Music

Plot Summary

This biographical drama chronicles the intense and often fraught relationship between British cellist Jacqueline du Pré and her sister, Hilary. The film delves into Jackie's meteoric rise to international fame as a prodigious musician and her subsequent, devastating decline due to multiple sclerosis. It also explores the complex dynamics between the sisters, their shared love for music, and the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of art and family.

Critical Reception

Hilary and Jackie was met with critical acclaim, particularly for its performances and sensitive portrayal of the sisters' relationship. Critics praised Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths for their nuanced portrayals, and the film was lauded for its emotional depth and poignant storytelling, though some found its depiction of events to be somewhat melodramatic.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film is lauded for its powerful and emotional performances, especially from its lead actresses.

  • It offers a compelling and intimate look at sibling rivalry, artistic ambition, and the devastating effects of illness.

  • Some critics found the narrative to be slightly idealized or overly sentimental in its portrayal of the sisters' bond.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciate the film's emotional resonance and the strong acting. Many found the story of the du Pré sisters to be both moving and tragic, highlighting the sacrifices made for art and family. Some viewers noted that the film effectively captured the intensity of the sisters' relationship.

Awards & Accolades

Emily Watson received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actress, and the film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Actress (Emily Watson) and Best Original Screenplay.

Fun Fact

The film features actual cello performances by the renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, who was a friend of Jacqueline du Pré and played her cello, 'The Davidoff' Stradivarius, for the soundtrack.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

The tragic story of acclaimed cellist Jacqueline du Pré (Emily Watson) is one I was already familiar with, but I had no idea that her sister Hilary (Rachel Griffiths) was also an accomplished flautist nor that there was allegedly a bit of f...