Hilary and Jackie

"Hilary and Jackie" tells of two sisters who share a love of classical music and each other but take contrasting paths through adult life. A much lauded film worthy of its critical acclaim, "H&J" does have a peculiar twice-told tale approach to its presentation which tends to make it interesting but so complex as to dilute its effectiveness. Nonetheless, this British film with a typically "stiff upper lip" approach to its sentimentality, is well shot, scripted, and acted. A good watch which will be a little "over the top" for many.

Hilary and Jackie is a biographical film about two contemporary English sisters, Hilary and Jacqueline du Pré. Both are musical prodigies as children, but as they mature into women, it is Jackie, the cellist, who moves on to international fame, while Hilary opts for husband and family on an English farm.

The film covers the complex, and troubling relationship between the two sisters, and Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths give brilliant performances in the title roles. What was the Academy thinking when they were both passed over? And the music! It's always in the forefront, and helps move the story as much as the actors and screenplay.

Not to be missed, this is one of the more enjoyable (although not uplifting) movies of 1998. Well worth the cost of the rental.

Music biopics, at least those concerned with classical music, tend to be pallid things; the lives of composers and performers are often uneventful compared those of politicians, generals, artists and even actors. "Amadeus" made a drama out of aspects of Mozart's brief life and Ken Russell had fun with Tchaikovsky in "The Music Lovers" but with most musicians the drama is in their performance. This movie uncovers the rather sad relationship between Jacqueline Du Pre, the brilliant cellist, and her older sister Hilary, also a musician (flautist) of talent. After acquiring public acclaim as a child prodigy, Jackie married another prodigy, the pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, with whom she frequently performed. At the pinnacle of her success, in her mid-twenties, she started to show signs of multiple sclerosis and was soon forced to retire. Her last 15 years were a decline "in fits and starts" to a vegetative state.

Not a pleasant tale. And it seems the gorgeous blonde Jackie was not a particularly likeable lady. So grimly competitive was she towards Hilary that at one point she insisted on sharing Hilary's husband with her, even though she was still married to Barenboim. The story is taken from a book by Hilary and their brother Piers, so one might expect it to be the story from Hilary's point of view. The film attempts to put some balance into the portrayal by first giving us "Hilary" and then "Jackie" but the result is still a pretty dire picture of Jackie, who is portrayed as vain, self-centred, immature, foul-mouthed, cynical and not terribly bright. As Daniel Barenboim is still very much alive (and able to sue) his part in the drama is very lightly sketched in - his alleged neglect of Jackie after she becomes ill is only alluded to by one telephone call. Towards the end, Hilary and Jackie became estranged, though it is not clear why (Hilary's marriage apparently survives) but there is a reconciliation of a sort.

The story is nicely realised with lots of music, including part of the original Du Pre/Barenboim recording of the Elgar cello concerto, the performance for which they are justly famous. As Jackie, Emily Watson is the full-on talented gorgeous blonde brat, a bit like Tom Hulse's Mozart in "Amadeus" but easier to understand. Rachel Griffiths does a good plainer, smarter sister but perhaps lays on the English reserve a bit thick (she is of course Australian). As their father, an amiable Colonel Blimp figure, Charles Dance has rather a small role but steals a couple of moments, as does Hilary's exasperated flute examiner, Professor Bentley, played by Vernon Dobtchev. The character of the girl's musically ambitious Mother (Celia Imrie), obviously a key figure, is oddly underdeveloped. Piers is also kept in the background. As Barenboim, James Frain bears an uncanny physical resemblance to the young Argentine virtuoso, but as mentioned is a shadowy presence also.

Perhaps the book told the story better and what we have here is a summary of it with some nice music thrown in, and some sumptuous locations. Still when you're sitting on a plane in business class and it's a choice between "Hilary and Jackie," "Meet Joe Black" (the Devil as played by Brad Pitt) and some movie about a gorilla called Joe (another re-hash of the King Kong Story) it passes the time. Those poor b******s back in economy are stuck with the gorilla.

It is a pleasure to see a film that has believable characters and an engrossing story which both entertains and enlightens. "Hilary and Jackie" tells the story of two sisters, Hilary and Jacqueline Du Pre, from their early years as devoted sisters and fledgling musicians, through their divergent life choices as professional soloist and housewife.

Jacqueline's career as cellist takes off just as Hilary decides to marry and raise a family on a rural farm. The music is integral to the development of the story. Director, Anand Tucker, uses it to comment on the action, much as the piano performances were used in "Shine". The digital stereo sound highlights the richness of the music combined with emotionally gripping sound effects.

Emily Watson shines as Jacqueline in a varied and multi-faceted performance that may well earn her another Academy Award nomination. As the quieter more sensible Hilary, Rachel Griffiths is also effective in a less showy but subtle portrayal.

The key dramatic sequence comes at the film's center where Jacqueline leaves her husband, pianist and conductor, Daniel Barenboim, to stay with Hilary and her family. The surprising favor and request she asks of her sister will not be revealed here. Suffice it to say, this is not a film for children.

The powerful final scenes will remain long in memory. The fine music should encourage those not familiar with the careers of Du Pre and Barenboim to sample their recordings. Put this fine film on your must-see list.

This heavy subject matter is so well done, it left me wanting more! The acting is superb. I have always loved Rachel Griffiths and she doesn't let the viewer down in this one either. She pulls this one off fantastically and IS Hilary du Pré! Emily Watson's performance is unbelievable and should have been recognized with a multitude of awards. It is amazing how well she acts in this. One truly believes that SHE has Multiple Sclorosis. I was amazed at how well she played the scenes. I just can't say enough about this film. I highly recommend that if you want quality writing and acting and are prepared for some realistic yet somewhat disturbing subject matter about life, RENT this film!