Hilary and Jackie (1998)
84%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
4 wins & 24 nominations total
Brilliant performances, lush cinematography, and complex storytelling deserve audience’s attention
Hilary and Jackie is a movie about two sisters, one of whom is a famous cellist and the other who is not. The movie is a bit overwrought at times, but it’s still a fascinating tale. Emily Watson gives a bravura performance as the genius cellist, showing us the agony, ecstasy, and ruthlessness of her character. Rachel Griffiths is also great as the older sister, and the two actresses have great chemistry together. Overall, it’s a powerful movie about love, music, and madness, and it’s definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of biopics or classical music. Just make sure you have some tissues handy, because it’s a bit of a tearjerker!
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
October Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Abbercrombe Square, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and sexuality
Year of Release
1999
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:2h 4m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 15, 1999 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2002
Genre(s)
Biography/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Emily Watson, Rachel Griffiths, James Frain, David Morrissey, Charles Dance, Celia Imrie, directed by Anand Tucker, written by Hilary du Pré, Piers du Pré, Frank Cottrell Boyce, biography, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by David Ansen, Lisa Schwarzbaum, David Stratton, Tom Charity, Kevin Maynard, Peter Brunette, Judith Egerton, Jeanne Aufmuth, John R McEwen, Margaret A McGurk, Forrest Hartman, Jason Gorber, produced by Anand Tucker, Nicolas Kent, Andy Paterson, R rating, classical music, sibling rivalry, family drama, multiple perspectives, tragic illness, emotional, powerful, virtuoso performances, lush cinematography, complex storytelling, international spotlight, high-stress world, elite classical musicians, love, music, madness
Worldwide gross: $4,912,892
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $8,818,778
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,008
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 961,699
US/Canada gross: $4,912,892
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $8,818,778
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,656
US/Canada opening weekend: $92,956
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $166,859
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,734
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $12,565,195
Production budget ranking: 1,577
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $6,766,358
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$10,512,775
ROI to date (est.): -54%
ROI ranking: 1,717
Rachel Griffiths – Hilary du Pré
James Frain – Daniel Barenboim
David Morrissey – Kiffer Finzi
Charles Dance – Derek du Pré
Celia Imrie – Iris du Pré
Self – Hilary du Pré (uncredited)
Self – Piers du Pré (uncredited)
Self – Frank Cottrell Boyce (uncredited)
Director(s)
Anand Tucker
Writer(s)
Hilary du Pré, Piers du Pré, Frank Cottrell Boyce
Producer(s)
Anand Tucker, Nicolas Kent, Andy Paterson
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
4 wins & 24 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (58) | Top Critics (22) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (7)
Told from both women’s points of view, this fascinating, if sometimes overwrought, tale packs a wallop. Watson’s bravura performance shows us the agony, the ecstasy and the ruthlessness of genius.
March 3, 2018
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: A-
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
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, the debut feature from Anand Tucker.
March 26, 2009
David Stratton
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Watson’s performance is virtuoso: passionate, sensitive, impressionable and sometimes grotesque; and she’s well matched by the subtle Griffiths and vibrant Morrisey.
June 24, 2006
Tom Charity
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
A flawed but powerful Shine-esque tale of love, music, and madness!
January 1, 2000
Kevin Maynard
Mr. Showbiz
TOP CRITIC
The acting by Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths, playing Jackie and Hilary, respectively, as adults, is first-rate.
January 1, 2000
Peter Brunette
Film.com
TOP CRITIC
No, it’s not a movie about two first ladies married to adulterous husbands.
July 7, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
Judith Egerton
Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
May 14, 2003 | Rating: 3/4
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly
February 8, 2003 | Rating: 4.5/5
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online
As exhilarating, passionate and profound as the music it celebrates.
October 15, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/4
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer
One of the best films of the year. An emotionally gripping tale about obsession, family and love.
August 23, 2002 | Rating: 5/5
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal
A good, if draining, film.
April 17, 2002
Jason Gorber
Film Scouts…
Plot
British sisters Hilary du Pré and Jacqueline du Pré are both talented musicians, Hilary a flautist, Jackie a cellist. With regard to their musical prowess, they have always had a friendly competitive nature with each other, fueled in large part by the want of their pianist mother, Iris, for them to achieve musical greatness. But underlying this friendliness is a deep desire to be truly better than the other. Despite or perhaps in part because of her flamboyant performance style, the younger Jackie emerges from the shadows of older Hilary’s more triumphant childhood successes to become the renowned musician in the family. Although both continue with their music and both end up marrying (Hilary to Kiffer Finzi, and Jackie to pianist Daniel Barenboim), Hilary focuses on her home life, whereas Jackie focuses on her career. A seemingly odd request by Jackie to Hilary is later understood, but Hilary’s agreement to that request demonstrates the true nature of their loving but unusual sisterly relationship.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Emily Watson’s performance as Jacqueline du Pré is described as “virtuoso: passionate, sensitive, impressionable and sometimes grotesque.”
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