The Great Lillian Hall

For over forty years, Jessica Lange has been one of the most renowned actresses of her generation, both on the big and small screens, as well as stage. She combines these in "The Great Lillian Hall", playing a Broadway star beginning to suffer from dementia. Lange really puts her all into the role. Fine support comes from Kathy Bates, Lily Rabe, Jesse Williams and Pierce Brosnan. It just goes to show that when a story focuses on people rather than nonstop CGI, we actually end up with a good story. This is exactly the sort of movie that I recommend to everyone, and I hope that Jessica Lange gets to continue making these sorts of movies.

The leading actress Lillian Hall, Played by Jessica Lange, is having a tough time remembering her lines and eventually she is sent to a doctor by her director. We watch her fumble through a memory test and ultimately she's diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. But she's a tough old bird, and she is not interested in giving up being in the Broadway production of The Cherry Orchard.

We watch her trying to tell her daughter what her problem is, but she can't bring herself to say the words. Her daughter and family are confused that she's paying them more attention that she ever does, but they can't figure out what's up.

Her assistant, Played by Kathy Bates, has been hired by her now deceased husband to help her in every way, but she is horrified that it has come to this point.

The producer of the show wants her understudy to play the part but Lillian is wandering around Central Park when she's supposed to be at the opening of the play. I won't tell you what happens next. It's a wonderful job, a wonderful story, and an excellent movie.

Jessica Lange is Magical & Astounding. This movie is the perfect platform to remind the world of her prolific acting. While being engrossed in the movie, you can find yourself feeling the same emotions that she is portraying on screen. It truly says something, when you can be so taken aback by a film. The Great Lillian Hall should be nominated for some serious awards. Lily Rabe and Katy Bates were also remarkable. Lange portrays a broadway actress preparing for her next role and an obstacle that could end it all, makes her pour her everything into the production, singing her swan song. The struggles of navigating this chapter makes her character win the hearts of millions and myself.

A lot of folk who have been around theater collaborate to provide a convincing look at putting on a show, and how difficult it is when your leading lady, "the first lady of the American theater," is in the early stages of dementia. Supposedly it's based on the latter-day career of Marian Seldes, and Jessica Lange is, as others have said, rather magnificent in suggesting a Broadway star's pride, neglect of loved ones, and denial of her medical crisis. The theatrical details are by and large convincing, though that's clearly no Broadway house (the movie appears to have been made largely in Marietta, Georgia), and, much as we'd like it to be true, opening-night audiences these days don't dress in formal wear. Good acting all around, especially from Kathy Bates as Lillian's no-nonsense caretaker and Lily Rabe as her justifiably resentful daughter; Pierce Brosnan is also around, as an aging-roue next-door neighbor who provides acid commentary and sympathy where it's really needed. Michael Cristofer, an award-winning playwright from way back, directs capably, and if the ending feels a bit unrealistic, it's still a compelling, if often hard-to-watch, journey to it.

As a fan of "American Horror Story," particularly the early seasons, the prospect of seeing Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Lily Rabe reunited in a new film had me instantly hooked. "The Great Lillian Hall" is a remarkable production that explores the complexities of dementia with finesse. Comparisons to Anthony Hopkins' portrayal in "The Father" are inevitable. Both actors deliver outstanding performances in their respective films, but "The Father" stands out for its ability to immerse the viewer in the bewildering and fragmented world of the person suffering from dementia, offering a tighter and more gripping narrative.

In "The Great Lillian Hall," Jessica Lange's mesmerizing portrayal is the film's crown jewel, showcasing her unparalleled acting prowess. Her performance alone makes the movie a must-watch, providing a poignant and powerful exploration of dementia that is both heart-wrenching and captivating. If you're a fan of brilliant acting and emotionally charged storytelling, "The Great Lillian Hall" is not to be missed.