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
Customer Reviews:
So far from the truth.......2006-08-22
I was completely stunned and shocked by the way that this film portayed Jacqueline du Pré as a spoilt, nymphomaniacal egotist, and Hilary as the poor victim. Anyone who has read the Elizabeth Wilson biography or any of the moving tributes made about the great cellist by those who really knew her, including her husband Daniel Barenboim, will be unable to reconcile the two images. This film should have been so different.
Beautifully made film.......2006-04-03
There are two ways to look at this film. As a piece of cinema, or autobiographical. It is not a film about music, although a principle character was the legendary Cellist Jacqueline Du Pre. It is a compelling story of two sisters, Jacqueline and her sister Hilary, based on the book "A Genius in the family" written by Hilary and Brother Peirs. A story of sibling rivalry, benign aquiessence on the one side, obsessive jealousy, and an overwhelming desire to be loved on the other.
As a film I found it totally absorbing, majestic film, beautufully made, with towering performences all through the cast, notably the portrayal of the prodigiously talanted Du Pre sisters, one Cellist and other Flautist. One who gives up music to make a happy family home in the Welsh hills, and Jacqueline as the tortured genius who is resentful of the Cello appearing to get in the way of her own happiness.
Having heard Du Pre play, there is one thing missing though in the film... Playing like that is simply not possible without a deep feeling for the music. This never comes over in the film, indeed, quite the reverse, with Du Pre seeing her music as a pennance, something to go thorough because she knows no other life. But as I said, this is not a film about music, but about love. A deep bond between two sisters, one who finds true happiness after setting her talent to one side, and the other sister who dedicates her life to her God given talent, only to challenge her life when she can see the only life she knows falling apart.
DVD quality is superb, making good use of 5.1 sound channels. Extras include a few deleted scenes.
Sisters, never were there such delightful sisters.......2005-01-07
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.
The Most Amazingly Beautiful Movie i have ever seen.......2004-04-29
First of all i say must I love music & the cello as an instrument. When isaw this movie I could not help but mesmerised by the talent of charactersjust beautiful, appealing performances. The most enjoyable part is whereJackie plays with her husband on piano & at the end he says "thats how Ushould play Beethoven" an outstanding cast. No doubt an extremely wellwritten story line unbelievable when jackie asks for Hilary's husband forthe night how! The fact that its based on real life events of Jackie makesit more absorbing & stays in your mind for some time.I would give this 10stars if i could. Purchase it before it goes out of print. Even though ithas a sad ending of Jackie perishing away the disease I think this movieis AN ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE IN YOUR DVD COLLECTION.
A film with a difference!.......2004-03-13
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!
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
Customer Reviews:
So far from the truth.......2006-08-22
I was completely stunned and shocked by the way that this film portayed Jacqueline du Pré as a spoilt, nymphomaniacal egotist, and Hilary as the poor victim. Anyone who has read the Elizabeth Wilson biography or any of the moving tributes made about the great cellist by those who really knew her, including her husband Daniel Barenboim, will be unable to reconcile the two images. This film should have been so different.
Beautifully made film.......2006-04-03
There are two ways to look at this film. As a piece of cinema, or autobiographical. It is not a film about music, although a principle character was the legendary Cellist Jacqueline Du Pre. It is a compelling story of two sisters, Jacqueline and her sister Hilary, based on the book "A Genius in the family" written by Hilary and Brother Peirs. A story of sibling rivalry, benign aquiessence on the one side, obsessive jealousy, and an overwhelming desire to be loved on the other.
As a film I found it totally absorbing, majestic film, beautufully made, with towering performences all through the cast, notably the portrayal of the prodigiously talanted Du Pre sisters, one Cellist and other Flautist. One who gives up music to make a happy family home in the Welsh hills, and Jacqueline as the tortured genius who is resentful of the Cello appearing to get in the way of her own happiness.
Having heard Du Pre play, there is one thing missing though in the film... Playing like that is simply not possible without a deep feeling for the music. This never comes over in the film, indeed, quite the reverse, with Du Pre seeing her music as a pennance, something to go thorough because she knows no other life. But as I said, this is not a film about music, but about love. A deep bond between two sisters, one who finds true happiness after setting her talent to one side, and the other sister who dedicates her life to her God given talent, only to challenge her life when she can see the only life she knows falling apart.
DVD quality is superb, making good use of 5.1 sound channels. Extras include a few deleted scenes.
Sisters, never were there such delightful sisters.......2005-01-07
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.
The Most Amazingly Beautiful Movie i have ever seen.......2004-04-29
First of all i say must I love music & the cello as an instrument. When isaw this movie I could not help but mesmerised by the talent of charactersjust beautiful, appealing performances. The most enjoyable part is whereJackie plays with her husband on piano & at the end he says "thats how Ushould play Beethoven" an outstanding cast. No doubt an extremely wellwritten story line unbelievable when jackie asks for Hilary's husband forthe night how! The fact that its based on real life events of Jackie makesit more absorbing & stays in your mind for some time.I would give this 10stars if i could. Purchase it before it goes out of print. Even though ithas a sad ending of Jackie perishing away the disease I think this movieis AN ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE IN YOUR DVD COLLECTION.
A film with a difference!.......2004-03-13
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!
UK DVD:
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Jacqueline Du Pre - In Portrait [2004]
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