- Actors: Emily Watson, Rachel Griffiths, James Frain, David Morrissey, Charles Dance
- Directors: Anand Tucker
- Writers: Frank Cottrell Boyce, Hilary du Pré, Piers du Pré
- Producers: Andy Paterson, Guy East, Nicolas Kent, Nigel Sinclair
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Cinema Club
- DVD Release Date: 10 Sep 2001
- Run Time: 121 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005NW42
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
32,290 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
- #47 in Film & TV > Music DVDs > Rock > Indie & Britpop
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
It earned Oscar nods, yet this cinematic look at a genius--that of English cellist Jacqueline du Pré, who enraptured audiences with her bold, emblazoned and wholly unconventional playing style, and who died at age 42--was criticised for its "lapses" in truth by people who purportedly knew du Pré. Some of the controversy revolved around the other main character in Anand Tucker's gorgeous, involving movie--du Pré's sister, Hilary, whose book,A Genius in the Family (cowritten with brother Piers), dished some dirt on Jackie's sleeping with Hilary's husband. But don't let that deter you from this ebullient movie experience. Hilary and Jackie is a bisected story (each sister's tale is told in the same amount of screen time) teeming with heartfelt drama that belies the cheap shots it received from its detractors. It's stirring, reckless, loving, involving, and rife with unconventional passion; passion for music, life, art, and the delicate relationship between these two synchronous, extraordinary sisters as played by brilliant actors Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths (both of whom earned Oscar nods). Though Watson got the juicy, showy role as Jackie, it's Griffiths who provides the heart, soul, and spine of the film. And director Tucker has that gift of being able to explain through the visual medium what is happening inside of his character's heads. He's helped by a fine screenplay by Frank Boyce Cottrell. No matter what the truth of Hilary and Jackie might really be, this is an exceptional, rare film that is defined and graced by fine acting and writing. --Paula Nechak
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AS CLOSE AS TWO SISTERS CAN BE,,,,
By
This review is from: Hilary & Jackie [DVD] [1999] (DVD)
This is an outstanding film with bravura performances by all the actors and actresses who grace it. Emily Watson is dazzling as world-renowned cellist, Jacqueline Du Pre, and Rachel Griffiths gives a heartwarming portrayal of Hilary, the more grounded Du Pre sister. British director Anand Tucker does a masterful job of capturing and exploring the often complex and symbiotic relationship between these two sisters, one of whom reaches heights in the music world of which most may only dream.Most of the film is bifurcated in that it is told from the perspective of each of the sisters, with the same scenarios being viewed through the eyes of one sister at any given time. The film opens with a scene of the young sisters playing on the beach, with an enigmatic adult figure on the shore whom the younger of the sisters, Jackie, approaches. They speak, but what transpires between the young Jackie and this solitary figure is only made manifest at the conclusion of the film. The viewer is then thrust into the Du Pre household, where it is clear that their lives revolve around music, with Jackie playing the cello and Hilary the flute. A pivotal moment in the film occurs when Hilary is invited to participate in a televised children's concert, and Jackie is not. Jackie is told by their mother that if she wishes to get such an invitation that she must play better. This is an edict that Jackie takes to heart and adopts with abandon, becoming relentless in her devotion to the cello, until it is she, and not Hilary, who becomes the one in demand and the one to whom slavish attention is given. This is a portent of things to come. Therein lies the seed for the subtle rivalry that is to last their entire lives, though they remain as close as two sisters can be. Jackie goes on to become one of the world's most renowned cellists. That Hilary sublimates herself to her sister is obvious, even when ballroom dancing together, as it is Jackie who leads Hilary. This was to remain the pattern for most of their respective lives. While the shy and seemingly insecure Hilary eventually marries a man who makes her feel special and important, it is Jackie who continues to dazzle, even in the marriage arena, marrying a world class pianist with whom she makes beautiful music, until she is struck by a fatal illness. As Jackie's world spirals out of control, Hilary is leading the placid life of a country squiress, having children and playing at local concerts, happily married to a man who is clearly devoted to her. Jackie intrudes on their idyllic life, and in her frenetic fashion turns their world upside down during a visit sans her husband, when she obviously horns in on Hilary's husband. What happens next is sure to shock even the most jaded of viewers. As Jackie grows more successful in the music world, her personal life spirals out of control. Her passion for the cello is often countermanded by the pains she takes to try to divest herself of the demanding instrument that seemingly controls her life, as her passion and musical genius begin to consume her to the exclusion of all else. Her tortured soul is finally set free, when she succumbs to her fatal illness, a lonely and tragic figure at the end, mourned most of all by Hilary. This is a movie that music lovers and anyone who loves a beautifully directed and well-acted film will appreciate and enjoy.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sisters, never were there such delightful sisters,
By A Customer
This review is from: Hilary & Jackie [DVD] [1999] (DVD)
Other reviews give the details for the film, but just to note that its main attraction for me is the stunning music - both the Elgar and the other score-music. The soundtrack is fantastic. Also, apart from ideas of genius and brilliance, mostly this film, for me, is about family life and family relationships - and those of mother/daughter and sister/sister are moving, outrageous, touching, beautiful, everyday, boring, frustrating - all those things that being part of a family involve.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A film with a difference!,
By
This review is from: Hilary and Jackie [DVD] [1999] (DVD)
I thought this was a beautifully presented and thought provoking rendition of the story of Hilary and Jackie. It is a dark story and is not for the faint hearted. It certainly stirs the mind and can be quite disturbing at times. The film is split into two parts. One half of the film follows the life of Jackie and the other half follows the life of Hillary. It is very well done. And gives insight into the lives of these two musically gifted sisters. Don't expect too much of a happy ending, best to watch this film with somebody as it left me crying at the end!
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