Hilary and Jackie

Name: Hilary and Jackie
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Released: December 30, 1998
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Emily Watson, Rachel Griffiths

1998

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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Hilary And Jackie

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Movie Details & Credits

October Films | Release Date: December 30, 1998 | R

Starring: Emily Watson, Rachel Griffiths

Summary: The story of the brilliant concert cellist Jacqueline du Pre, seen from the perspectives of her sister Hilary and brother Piers.

Director: Anand Tucker

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Music

Rating: R

Runtime: 121 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Edward Guthmann

Emily Watson is ravishingly good -- and brings an amazing focus and intensity to what could have been a disease-of-the-week picture. Read full review

100

James Berardinelli

It is a triumph, and one of 1998's few "don't miss" motion pictures. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

It takes two to be sisters, two to have a rivalry, and two exceptional actresses to turn Hilary and Jackie into a compelling look at the most intimate and troubling of family dynamics. Read full review

David Stratton

Eye-grabbing performances from Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths, who portray celebrated British cellist Jacqueline Du Pre and her older sister, Hilary, distinguish this ambitious but flawed biography. Read full review

Stephen Hunter

The movie is exquisitely directed by Anand Tucker in an anti-documentary style that sometimes fractures the time sequence, sometimes re-creates moments impressionistically instead of objectively and is vivid in style. Read full review

Liam Lacey

The wildly ambitious but flawed biographical film about the English cellist Jacqueline du Pré. Read full review

Allan Ulrich

You may have surmised that Americans have held the copyright on turning out awful movies about serious musicians (especially musicians with physical or mental afflictions), but along comes the high-gloss weepie. Read full review

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DawdlingPoet

Nov 20, 2021

This is quite a good biopic, centering on the lives of two sisters, one of which is a world famous musician and the other has to live in her shadow. Different parts of the film show us things from either sisters lives and thus perspectives (The chronology is quite interestingly done, toThis is quite a good biopic, centering on the lives of two sisters, one of which is a world famous musician and the other has to live in her shadow. Different parts of the film show us things from either sisters lives and thus perspectives (The chronology is quite interestingly done, to provide context to earlier scenes). It is quite insightful and thought provoking, plus its certainly an arty film and of course, natually, it included a fair bit of instrumental (classical in tone) music - I suppose you could say the classical music highlights (or centers on) the fragility of the character shown on screen at that time. I thought Emily Watson gave a particularly good performance as Jackie (Jacqueline du Pre). Her frustrations and lack of social etiquette are clearly shown. The other sister, Hilary, is played by Rachel Griffiths - another good performance, although perhaps not quite as memorable as Emily's. I thought it was good that both sisters fragility/vulnerabilities were made clear and I did feel sorry for both at different times. There is definitely an element of perseverence present, even though its mainly very much in an upper class setting.
This is based on a true story, adapted from a book, and having seen the film, it has piqued my interest. Perhaps I'll read the book at some point but I'll say no more about the film so as not to give any spoilers. This is a thoughtful and insightful film with some quite poignant moments, so yes, I'd recommend it.… Expand

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PatC.

Jan 5, 2007

A lot of gaps interspersed with other scenes that drag. The story was OK but did not have the comprehensive feel that the importance of character's efforts implied. But a good movie for what Emily Watson did with her role. She steals the show.

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18	#18 Best Movie of 1998
90	#90 Most Shared Movie of 1998