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{{Short description|1998 British biographical film}}
{{Short description|1998 British biographical film}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Hilary and Jackie
| name = Hilary and Jackie
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| editing = [[Martin Walsh (film editor)|Martin Walsh]]
| editing = [[Martin Walsh (film editor)|Martin Walsh]]
| distributor = [[Film4 Productions|FilmFour Distributors]]
| distributor = [[Film4 Productions|FilmFour Distributors]]
| released = {{Film date|1998|9|5|[[Venice Film Festival|Venice]]|1998|12|30|U.S.|ref2=<ref name=rt>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hilary_and_jackie/|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|title=Hilary and Jackie|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>|1999|1|22|df=y|United Kingdom}}
| released = {{Film date|1998|9|5|[[Venice Film Festival|Venice]]|1998|12|30|U.S.|ref2=<ref name=rt>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hilary_and_jackie/|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|title=Hilary and Jackie|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>|1999|1|22|df=y|United Kingdom}}
| runtime = 121 minutes
| runtime = 121 minutes
| country = United Kingdom
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| language = English
| budget =
| budget =
| gross = £3.9 million (UK/US)
| gross = [[US dollar|US]]$4,912,892 (U.S.)<ref name=bom>{{cite web|title=Hilary and Jackie (1998)|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hilaryandjackie.htm|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=21 August 2011}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Hilary and Jackie''''' is a 1998 British [[biographical film]] directed by [[Anand Tucker]], starring [[Emily Watson]] and [[Rachel Griffiths]] as the British classical musician sisters [[Jacqueline du Pré]] (cello) and [[Hilary du Pré]] (flute). The film covers Jacqueline's meteoric rise to fame, her alleged affair with Hilary's husband [[Christopher Finzi]], and her struggle with [[multiple sclerosis]] starting in her late 20s.
'''''Hilary and Jackie''''' is a 1998 British [[biographical film]] directed by [[Anand Tucker]], starring [[Emily Watson]] and [[Rachel Griffiths]] as the British classical musician sisters [[Jacqueline du Pré]] (cello) and [[Hilary du Pré]] (flute). The film covers Jacqueline's meteoric rise to fame, her alleged affair with Hilary's husband [[Christopher Finzi]], and her struggle with [[multiple sclerosis]] starting in her late 20s ultimately leading to her death at the age of 42.


The screenplay by [[Frank Cottrell-Boyce]] claimed in the end credits to have been based on the 1997 [[memoir]] ''[[A Genius in the Family (book)|A Genius in the Family]]'' by Piers and Hilary du Pré (later republished under the title ''Hilary and Jackie'').<ref>{{cite book | last1=Du Pré | first1=Piers | last2=Du Pré |first2=Hilary | title=A Genius in the Family: An Intimate Memoir of Jacqueline du Pré | location=London | publisher=Heinemann | year=1997 | isbn=0-434-00344-1}}</ref> However, that memoir had not yet been published when ''Hilary and Jackie'' was being filmed. Cottrell-Boyce stated, "Hilary was working on the book at the same time as I was working on the film ... it was at a very early stage when we were doing the script".<ref>'Inside Film' programme, handed out at early showings of the film</ref> The film was instead based on conversations with Hilary and Piers; unlike the book it does not claim to be the true story, and contains some fictionalised incidents.
[[Frank Cottrell-Boyce]] wrote the screenplay at the same time that siblings Hilary and Piers du Pré were working on their [[memoir]], published in 1997 as ''[[A Genius in the Family (book)|A Genius in the Family]]'' (later republished under the title ''Hilary and Jackie'').<ref>{{cite book | last1=Du Pré | first1=Piers | last2=Du Pré |first2=Hilary | title=A Genius in the Family: An Intimate Memoir of Jacqueline du Pré | location=London | publisher=Heinemann | year=1997 | isbn=0-434-00344-1}}</ref> As such, the film's closing credits states that it is based on the memoir, though Cottrell-Boyce confirmed, in a programme distributed at early showings of the film, that: "Hilary was working on the book at the same time as I was working on the film ... it was at a very early stage when we were doing the script".<ref>'Inside Film' programme, handed out at early showings of the film</ref> The film was not intended as a documentary and thus, unlike the book, does not claim to be the true story and includes some fictionalised incidents.


The film attracted controversy and criticism for allegedly distorting details in Jacqueline's life, and several personal friends of Jacqueline du Pré publicly condemned the film. Hilary du Pré publicly defended her version of the story.<ref name="truth-1999">{{cite news |last=Du Pré |first=Hilary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk_news/story/0,,323814,00.html |title=The truth about our wonderful sister Jackie|access-date=20 April 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=21 January 1999}}</ref><ref name="defends-1999">{{cite news |title=Du Pré sister defends film|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/jan/21/stephenmoss.stephenmoss1|access-date=20 April 2018 |last=Moss |first=Stephen |work=The Guardian |date=21 January 1999}}</ref>
When it was released, the film attracted controversy when several personal friends of Jacqueline publicly condemned it for allegedly distorting details in her life, while Hilary publicly defended it as her and Piers's version of the family's story.<ref name="truth-1999">{{cite news |last=Du Pré |first=Hilary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk_news/story/0,,323814,00.html |title=The truth about our wonderful sister Jackie |access-date=20 April 2018 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=21 January 1999}}</ref><ref name="defends-1999">{{cite news |title=Du Pré sister defends film |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/jan/21/stephenmoss.stephenmoss1|access-date=20 April 2018 |last=Moss |first=Stephen |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=21 January 1999}}</ref>


''Hilary and Jackie'' generally received critical acclaim, and both Griffiths and Watson were nominated for an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]], for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] and [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]], respectively.
''Hilary and Jackie'' generally received critical acclaim, and both Griffiths and Watson were nominated for an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]], for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] and [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]], respectively.


==Plot==
==Plot==
In 1960s London, sisters [[Hilary du Pré|Hilary]] and [[Jacqueline du Pré|Jacqueline "Jackie" du Pré]] both pursue musical professions after being instructed in music by their mother; the [[flute]] for Hilary, and the [[cello]] for Jackie. Though Jackie rebelled against practising, she became a [[virtuoso]], quickly rising to international prominence.
In 1960s London, Derek and [[Iris du Pré]] support their daughters, [[Hilary du Pré|Hilary]] and [[Jacqueline du Pré|Jackie]], in pursuing music professionally after being instructed throughout their childhoods by their mother; the [[flute]] for Hilary, and the [[cello]] for Jackie. Though Jackie rebelled against practising as a child, she became a [[virtuoso]] in early adulthood, quickly rising to international prominence.


While Jackie tours throughout Europe, Hilary remains in London with her parents and brother, Piers, and struggles in her musical studies at the [[Royal Academy of Music]]. She becomes acquainted with a gregarious fellow student, [[Christopher Finzi|Christopher "Kiffer" Finzi]], son of composer [[Gerald Finzi]], and the two begin a romantic relationship. Hilary begins playing in a community orchestra, where she garners local fame. Jackie returns home from touring in [[Moscow]], and pleads with Hilary to share a [[Flat (housing)|flat]] with her. Instead, Hilary marries Kiffer, and the two relocate to a farmhouse in the country to start a family. Meanwhile, Jackie begins dating pianist and conductor [[Daniel Barenboim]], with whom she bonds over their mutual love of music. Her eventual conversion to [[Judaism]] and subsequent marriage to Daniel garners significant publicity.
While Jackie tours throughout Europe, Hilary remains in London with her parents and brother, Piers, and struggles in her musical studies at the [[Royal Academy of Music]]. She becomes acquainted with a gregarious fellow student, [[Christopher Finzi|Kiffer Finzi]], son of composer [[Gerald Finzi]], and the two begin a romantic relationship. Hilary begins playing in a community orchestra, where she garners local fame. Jackie returns home from touring in Moscow, and pleads with Hilary to share a [[Flat (housing)|flat]] with her. Instead, Hilary marries Kiffer, and the two relocate to a farmhouse in the country to start a family. Meanwhile, Jackie begins dating pianist and conductor [[Daniel Barenboim|Danny Barenboim]], with whom she bonds over their mutual love of music. Her eventual conversion to [[Judaism]] and subsequent marriage to Danny, garners significant publicity.


Later, Jackie arrives unannounced at Hilary and Kiffer's home, inexplicably forgoing scheduled engagements she has in [[Los Angeles]]. She confides to Hilary that she wants to have sex with Kiffer, and makes attempts to seduce him. The next day, Hilary finds Jackie stripped naked in the woods in the midst of an emotional breakdown. Daniel arrives and attempts to console her, but she is indifferent to him. Jackie remains at Hilary's home, and Hilary consents to Jackie having a sexual encounter with Kiffer, hoping it will help her work through her nervous breakdown. This, however, ultimately drives a rift between the sisters as the affair becomes emotionally suffused. Jackie leaves and resumes touring, but yearns for a different life.
Later, Jackie arrives unannounced at Hilary and Kiffer's home, inexplicably forgoing scheduled engagements she has in Los Angeles. She confides to Hilary that she wants to have sex with Kiffer, and makes attempts to seduce him. The next day, Hilary finds Jackie stripped naked in the woods in the midst of an emotional breakdown. Danny arrives and attempts to console her, but she is indifferent to him. Jackie remains at Hilary's home, and Hilary consents to Jackie having a sexual encounter with Kiffer, hoping it will help her work through her nervous breakdown. This, however, ultimately drives a rift between the sisters as the affair becomes emotionally suffused. Jackie leaves and resumes touring, but yearns for a different life.


From Jackie's perspective, Hilary chose a life with Kiffer over their relationship. While Jackie found solace in her marriage to Daniel, she began to notice a subtle yet progressive deterioration of her [[motor control|motor skill]]s and [[Eye-hand coordination|hand-eye coordination]]. It had in fact been unspoken anxieties over her health that led to her previous visit to Hilary's.
From Jackie's perspective, Hilary chose a life with Kiffer over their relationship. While Jackie finds solace in her marriage to Danny, she began to notice a subtle yet progressive deterioration of her motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It had in fact been unspoken anxieties over her health that led to her previous visit to Hilary's.


During a live performance, Jackie finds herself unable to stand, and has to be carried offstage by Daniel. She is diagnosed with [[multiple sclerosis]], and Hilary goes to visit her in hospital. Jackie remains optimistic about her diagnosis, but the disease progresses rapidly, leaving her unable to position her fingers or use a [[Bow (music)|bow]]. Daniel continues to conduct around the world, and Jackie finds he is having an affair. As her disease progresses, she becomes [[paralysis|paralysed]] before becoming [[deafness|deaf]] and mute. One night, Hilary goes to visit Jackie{{en dash}}who is in the throes of [[tremor]]s{{en dash}}and recounts a cherished childhood memory of the two playing on the beach. Shortly after, Hilary hears news of Jackie's death on the radio. The film ends with Jackie's spirit standing on the beach where she used to play, watching herself and her sister frolicking on the sand as little girls.
During a live performance, Jackie finds herself unable to stand, and has to be carried offstage by Danny. She is diagnosed with [[multiple sclerosis]], and Hilary goes to visit her in hospital. Jackie remains optimistic about her diagnosis, but the disease progresses rapidly, leaving her unable to position her fingers or use a [[Bow (music)|bow]]. Danny continues to conduct around the world, and Jackie finds he is having an affair. As her disease progresses, she becomes paralysed before becoming deaf and mute. One autumn night, in 1987, Hilary and Piers go to visit Jackie. Holding Jackie{{snd}}who is in the throes of [[tremor]]s{{snd}}Hilary recounts a cherished childhood memory of the two playing on the beach. Shortly after, Hilary and Piers hear news of Jackie's death on the radio. The film ends with Jackie's spirit standing on the beach where she used to play as a child, watching herself and her sister frolicking on the sand as little girls.


==Cast==
==Cast==
<!--- [[MOS:FILMCAST]] [[WP:NOTDATABASE]] - cast and order per Main Cast [[opening credits]] and closing standalone main cast credits (which added the performers of the young sisters), roles per [[closing credits]] scroll --->
* [[Rachel Griffiths]] as [[Hilary du Pré]]
{{cast listing|
* [[Emily Watson]] as [[Jacqueline du Pré]]
* [[James Frain]] as [[Daniel Barenboim]]
* [[Emily Watson]] as [[Jacqueline du Pré|Jackie]]
* [[David Morrissey]] as [[Christopher Finzi]]
* [[Rachel Griffiths]] as [[Hilary du Pré|Hilary]]
* [[Charles Dance]] as Derek du Pré
* [[James Frain]] as [[Daniel Barenboim|Danny]]
* [[David Morrissey]] as [[Christopher Finzi|Kiffer]]
* [[Celia Imrie]] as [[Iris du Pré|Iris Greep du Pré]], Hilary and Jackie's mother
* [[Rupert Penry-Jones]] as Piers du Pré
* [[Charles Dance]] as Derek
* [[Bill Paterson (actor)|Bill Paterson]] as [[William Pleeth]]
* [[Celia Imrie]] as [[Iris du Pré|Iris]]
* [[Nyree Dawn Porter]] as [[Margot Fonteyn]]
* [[Rupert Penry-Jones]] as Piers
* [[Bill Paterson (actor)|Bill Paterson]] as [[William Pleeth|the cello teacher]]
* [[Vernon Dobtcheff]] as Professor Bentley
* Helen Rowe as Instrumentalist
* Auriol Evans as young Jackie
* [[Keeley Flanders]] as Young Hilary
* [[Keeley Flanders]] as young Hilary
}}
* Auriol Evans as Young Jackie


==Production==
==Production==
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==Release==
==Release==

===Box office===
===Box office===
''Hilary and Jackie'' was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on 22 January 1999.<ref name=insult>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4716551/An-insult-to-Jackies-memory.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226190440/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4716551/An-insult-to-Jackies-memory.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 February 2016|work=The Telegraph|title=An insult to Jackie's memory|access-date=20 April 2018|date=4 January 1999|author=Lloyd Webber, Julian}}</ref> In the United States, it premiered on 30 December 1998 in a limited release.<ref name=rt/> In the United States, the film grossed [[US dollar|US]]$4,912,892 at the box office.<ref name=bom/>
''Hilary and Jackie'' was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on 22 January 1999<ref name=insult>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4716551/An-insult-to-Jackies-memory.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226190440/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4716551/An-insult-to-Jackies-memory.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 February 2016|work=The Telegraph|title=An insult to Jackie's memory|access-date=20 April 2018|date=4 January 1999|author=Lloyd Webber, Julian}}</ref> and grossed £1 million ($1.6 million).<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Screen International]]|page=18|title=Top 10 UK Indie Releases|date=28 January 2000}}</ref> In the United States, it premiered on 30 December 1998 in a limited release.<ref name=rt/> In the United States and Canada, the film grossed [[US dollar|US]]$4,912,892 (£2.9 million) at the box office.<ref name=bom>{{cite web|title=Hilary and Jackie (1998)|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hilaryandjackie.htm|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=21 August 2011}}</ref>


===Critical response===
===Critical response===
[[File:Emily Watson (25831419375) cropped.jpg|thumb|[[Emily Watson]], seen here in 2016, played [[Jacqueline du Pré]].]]
[[File:Rachel Griffiths 2012 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Rachel Griffiths]], seen here in 2012, played [[Hilary du Pré]].]]
In his review in ''The New York Times'', [[Stephen Holden]] called the film "one of the most insightful and wrenching portraits of the joys and tribulations of being a classical musician ever filmed" and "an astoundingly rich and subtle exploration of sibling rivalry and the volcanic collisions of love and resentment, competitiveness and mutual dependence that determine their lives." He went on to say "''Hilary and Jackie'' is as beautifully acted as it is directed, edited and written."<ref>{{cite news |title='Hilary and Jackie': Discordant Concerto, Played Upon Two Hearts |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=30 December 1998 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/library/film/123098hilary-film-review.html |access-date=20 April 2018|work=The New York Times}}</ref>
In his review in ''The New York Times'', [[Stephen Holden]] called the film "one of the most insightful and wrenching portraits of the joys and tribulations of being a classical musician ever filmed" and "an astoundingly rich and subtle exploration of sibling rivalry and the volcanic collisions of love and resentment, competitiveness and mutual dependence that determine their lives." He went on to say "''Hilary and Jackie'' is as beautifully acted as it is directed, edited and written."<ref>{{cite news |title='Hilary and Jackie': Discordant Concerto, Played Upon Two Hearts |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=30 December 1998 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/library/film/123098hilary-film-review.html |access-date=20 April 2018|work=The New York Times}}</ref>


[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' described it as "an extraordinary film [that] makes no attempt to soften the material or make it comforting through the cliches of [[melodrama]]."<ref>{{cite news |title=Hilary and Jackie |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=15 January 1999 |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990115/REVIEWS/901150302/1023|access-date=20 April 2018 |work= Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref>
[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' described it as "an extraordinary film [that] makes no attempt to soften the material or make it comforting through the cliches of [[melodrama]]."<ref>{{cite news |title=Hilary and Jackie |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=15 January 1999 |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990115/REVIEWS/901150302/1023|access-date=20 April 2018 |work= Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref>


In the ''San Francisco Chronicle'', Edward Guthmann stated, "Watson is riveting and heartbreaking. Assisted by Tucker's elegant direction and Boyce's thoughtful, scrupulous writing, she gives a knockout performance."<ref>{{cite news |last=Guthmann |first=Edward |title=Commanding Presences: Watson plays it perfectly as tortured cello star in 'Hilary and Jackie' |date=15 January 1999 |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1999/01/15/DD58867.DTL |work=The San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref>
In the ''San Francisco Chronicle'', Edward Guthmann stated, "Watson is riveting and heartbreaking. Assisted by Tucker's elegant direction and Boyce's thoughtful, scrupulous writing, she gives a knockout performance."<ref>{{cite news |last=Guthmann |first=Edward |title=Commanding Presences: Watson plays it perfectly as tortured cello star in 'Hilary and Jackie' |date=15 January 1999 |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1999/01/15/DD58867.DTL |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref>


[[Anthony Lane]] of ''The New Yorker'' said, "The sense of period, of ungainly English pride, is funny and acute, but the movie mislays its sense of wit as the girls grow up. The nub of the tale... feels both overblown and oddly beside the point; it certainly means that Tucker takes his eye, or his ear, off the music. The whole picture, indeed, is more likely to gratify the emotionally prurient than to appease lovers of Beethoven and Elgar."<ref>{{cite journal |title=Hilary and Jackie |last=Lane |first=Anthony |date=25 January 1999 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/hilary_and_jackie_tucker |journal=The New Yorker}}</ref>
[[Anthony Lane]] of ''The New Yorker'' said, "The sense of period, of ungainly English pride, is funny and acute, but the movie mislays its sense of wit as the girls grow up. The nub of the tale... feels both overblown and oddly beside the point; it certainly means that Tucker takes his eye, or his ear, off the music. The whole picture, indeed, is more likely to gratify the emotionally prurient than to appease lovers of Beethoven and Elgar."<ref>{{cite journal |title=Hilary and Jackie |last=Lane |first=Anthony |date=25 January 1999 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/hilary_and_jackie_tucker |journal=The New Yorker}}</ref>


''Entertainment Weekly'' rated the film A− and added, "This unusual, unabashedly voluptuous biographical drama, a bravura feature debut for British TV director Anand Tucker, soars on two virtuoso performances: by the rightfully celebrated Emily Watson . . . and by the under-celebrated Rachel Griffiths."<ref>{{cite journal |title=Movie Review: Hilary and Jackie |date=8 January 1999 |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,63860,00.html |journal=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>
''Entertainment Weekly'' rated the film A− and added, "This unusual, unabashedly voluptuous biographical drama, a bravura feature debut for British TV director Anand Tucker, soars on two virtuoso performances: by the rightfully celebrated Emily Watson . . . and by the under-celebrated Rachel Griffiths."<ref>{{cite journal |title=Movie Review: Hilary and Jackie |date=8 January 1999 |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,63860,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609112528/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,63860,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 June 2009 |journal=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>


[[Rana Dasgupta]] wrote in an essay about biographical films that "the film's tagline – 'The true story of two sisters who shared a passion, a madness and a man' – is a good indication of its prurient intent. The book's moving account of love and solidarity, whose characters are incomplete and complex but not "mad", is rejected in favour of a salacious account of social deviance."<ref>{{cite web |last=Dasgupta |first=Rana |date=21 September 2008 |url=http://www.ranadasgupta.com/texts.asp?text_id=45 |title=The next idea of the artist: Art, music and the present threat of creativity}} Essay about Beethoven, du Pre and biographical films.</ref>
[[Rana Dasgupta]] wrote in an essay about biographical films that "the film's tagline – 'The true story of two sisters who shared a passion, a madness and a man' – is a good indication of its prurient intent. The book's moving account of love and solidarity, whose characters are incomplete and complex but not "mad", is rejected in favour of a salacious account of social deviance."<ref>{{cite web |last=Dasgupta |first=Rana |date=21 September 2008 |url=http://www.ranadasgupta.com/texts.asp?text_id=45 |title=The next idea of the artist: Art, music and the present threat of creativity}} Essay about Beethoven, du Pre and biographical films.</ref>


===Controversy===
===Controversy===
Although the film was a critical success, and received two [[Academy Award]] nominations, it ignited a furore, especially in London, centre of du Pre's performing life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1999-01-22/features/9901220292_1_hilary-and-jackie-jackie-du-jackie-began|work=The Baltimore Sun|title=Sour notes mar 'Hilary and Jackie'|date=22 January 1999|author=Hornaday, Ann|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref> A group of her closest colleagues, including fellow cellists [[Mstislav Rostropovich]] and [[Julian Lloyd Webber]], sent a "bristling" letter to ''[[The Times]]'' in February 1999.<!--was this letter actually published? Is there a citation with its content?--><ref name=Nordlinger /><ref name=BBC>{{cite news |title=Du Pre film blasted by the critics |work=BBC News |date=22 January 1999 |access-date=20 April 2018|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/259202.stm}}</ref><ref name=Fielden /> Webber noted in an article published in ''The Telegraph'':
Although the film was a critical success, and received two [[Academy Award]] nominations, it ignited a furore, especially in London, centre of du Pre's performing life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/01/22/sour-notes-mar-hilary-and-jackie-review-just-when-you-think-hilary-and-jackie-is-a-fine-film-it-gets-carried-away-with-itself/|work=The Baltimore Sun|title=Sour notes mar 'Hilary and Jackie'|date=22 January 1999|author=Hornaday, Ann|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref> A group of her closest colleagues, including fellow cellists [[Mstislav Rostropovich]] and [[Julian Lloyd Webber]], sent a "bristling" letter to ''[[The Times]]'' in February 1999.<!--was this letter actually published? Is there a citation with its content?--><ref name=Nordlinger /><ref name=BBC>{{cite news |title=Du Pre film blasted by the critics |publisher=BBC News |date=22 January 1999 |access-date=20 April 2018|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/259202.stm}}</ref><ref name=Fielden /> Webber noted in an article published in ''The Telegraph'':
{{quote|''Hilary and Jackie'' is an ugly film, not because it is badly made or acted - quite the reverse - but because Emily Watson's du Pré bears no resemblance to the radiant Jackie I remember so well, first as a brilliant cellist, and later when I came to know her after she contracted MS. The film woefully fails to convey Jacqueline du Pré's wonderful joy in making music and her unique ability to bring that joy to her audience. Worst of all, the book that spawned the film was written by her elder sister, Hilary, and younger brother, Piers - two siblings apparently eaten up by bitterness and jealousy.<ref name=insult/>}}
{{blockquote|''Hilary and Jackie'' is an ugly film, not because it is badly made or acted – quite the reverse – but because Emily Watson's du Pré bears no resemblance to the radiant Jackie I remember so well, first as a brilliant cellist, and later when I came to know her after she contracted MS. The film woefully fails to convey Jacqueline du Pré's wonderful joy in making music and her unique ability to bring that joy to her audience. Worst of all, the book that spawned the film was written by her elder sister, Hilary, and younger brother, Piers – two siblings apparently eaten up by bitterness and jealousy.<ref name=insult/>}}


Clare Finzi, Hilary du Pré's daughter, charged that the film was a "gross misinterpretation, which I cannot let go unchallenged."<!--See related BBC News quote--> [[Daniel Barenboim]] said, "Couldn't they have waited until I was dead?"<ref name=Nordlinger>{{cite journal |title=Music: Twisted Sister – Review |last=Nordlinger |first=Jay |author-link=Jay Nordlinger |date=22 February 1999 |journal=The National Review |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/46403655?q&versionId=59306645|access-date=20 April 2018|issn=0028-0038}} {{closed access}}</ref> Additionally, a friend of Jacqueline du Pré's, John Williams, in an interview for ''The Observer'', called the film "macabre" and "sick", adding: "My friend Jackie has been betrayed".<ref>{{cite web|work=The Guardian|title='It's macabre. It's sick. My friend Jackie has been betrayed'|author=Williams, John|date=24 January 1999|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/jan/24/theobserver.uknews1|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>
Clare Finzi, Hilary du Pré's daughter, charged that the film was a "gross misinterpretation, which I cannot let go unchallenged."<!--See related BBC News quote--> [[Daniel Barenboim]] said, "Couldn't they have waited until I was dead?"<ref name=Nordlinger>{{cite journal |title=Music: Twisted Sister – Review |last=Nordlinger |first=Jay |author-link=Jay Nordlinger |date=22 February 1999 |journal=National Review|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/46403655?q&versionId=59306645|access-date=20 April 2018|issn=0028-0038}} {{closed access}}</ref> Additionally, a friend of Jacqueline du Pré's, guitarist [[John Williams (guitarist)|John Williams]], in an interview for ''The Observer'', called the film "macabre" and "sick", adding: "My friend Jackie has been betrayed".<ref>{{cite web|work=The Guardian|title='It's macabre. It's sick. My friend Jackie has been betrayed'|author=Williams, John|date=24 January 1999|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/jan/24/theobserver.uknews1|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>


Hilary du Pré wrote in ''[[The Guardian]]'', "At first I could not understand why people didn't believe my story because I had set out to tell the whole truth. When you tell someone the truth about your family, you don't expect them to turn around and say that it's bunkum. But I knew that Jackie would have respected what I had done. If I had gone for half-measures, she would have torn it up. She would have wanted the complete story to be told."<ref name="truth-1999" /> Jay Fielden reported in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' that she'd said, "When you love someone, you love the whole of them. Those who are against the film want to look only at the pieces of Jackie's life that they accept. I don’t think the film has taken any liberties at all. Jackie would have absolutely loved it."<ref name=Fielden>{{cite journal |last=Fielden |first=Jay |title=The Talk of the Town: The Pictures |journal=The New Yorker |date=8 February 1999 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1999/02/08/1999_02_08_024_TNY_LIBRY_000017474}} Subscription required.</ref>
Hilary du Pré wrote in ''[[The Guardian]]'', "At first I could not understand why people didn't believe my story because I had set out to tell the whole truth. When you tell someone the truth about your family, you don't expect them to turn around and say that it's bunkum. But I knew that Jackie would have respected what I had done. If I had gone for half-measures, she would have torn it up. She would have wanted the complete story to be told."<ref name="truth-1999" /> Jay Fielden reported in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' that she'd said, "When you love someone, you love the whole of them. Those who are against the film want to look only at the pieces of Jackie's life that they accept. I don’t think the film has taken any liberties at all. Jackie would have absolutely loved it."<ref name=Fielden>{{cite journal |last=Fielden |first=Jay |title=The Talk of the Town: The Pictures |journal=The New Yorker |date=8 February 1999 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1999/02/08/1999_02_08_024_TNY_LIBRY_000017474}} Subscription required.</ref>


==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
|-
! Award
! width=20%|Awards
! style="width:50%;"| Category
! Category
! Recipient(s)
! style="width:10%;"| Result
! Result
! width=3%|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[71st Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]<ref name="Oscars1999">{{cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/71st-winners.html |title=The 71st Academy Awards (1999) Nominees and Winners |access-date=19 November 2011 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences}}</ref>
| rowspan="2"|[[Academy Awards]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] {{small|(Emily Watson)}}
| [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| [[Emily Watson]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] {{small|(Rachel Griffiths)}}
| [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
| [[Rachel Griffiths]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| rowspan="5"| [[52nd British Academy Film Awards|British Academy Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1999/film |title=BAFTA Awards: Film in 1999 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |year=1999 |access-date=16 September 2016 |ref={{harvid|BAFTA|1999}}}}</ref>
| rowspan="5"| [[BAFTA Awards]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Best British Film|Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film|Outstanding British Film]]
| [[Andy Paterson]], Nicolas Kent and [[Anand Tucker]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role|Best Actress in a Leading Role]] {{small|(Emily Watson)}}
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role|Best Actress in a Leading Role]]
| Emily Watson
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]]
| [[Frank Cottrell-Boyce]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Original Music|Best Original Music]]
| [[Barrington Pheloung]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]]
| Nigel Heath, [[Julian Slater]], David Crozier, Ray Merrin and Graham Daniel
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[British Independent Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bifa.film/awards/1999/winners-nominations/ |title=1999 BIFA Winners and Nominations |website=[[British Independent Film Awards]] |access-date=23 December 2021}}</ref>
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Film Music|Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music]]
| colspan="2"| [[BIFA Award for Best British Independent Film|Best British Film]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[British Independent Film Awards]]
| [[British Independent Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| Best Director {{small|(Anand Tucker)}}
| Anand Tucker
| {{win}}
| {{won}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[BIFA Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a British Independent Film|Best Actress]]
| Best Actress {{small|(Rachel Griffiths)}}
| Rachel Griffiths
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| Best Actress {{small|(Emily Watson)}}
| rowspan="2"| Emily Watson
| {{win}}
| {{won}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 1998|Chicago Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards-blog/archives |title=1988-2013 Award Winner Archives |website=[[Chicago Film Critics Association]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}</ref>
| Best British Film
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
| [[Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Award]]
| Rachel Griffiths
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama|Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama]] {{small|(Emily Watson)}}
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| [[Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film|Chlotrudis Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chlotrudis.org/awards/past-awards/1999-5th-annual-awards/ |title=5th Annual Chlotrudis Awards |website=[[Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films]] |access-date=23 December 2021}}</ref>
| [[London Film Critics Circle]]
| Best Actress
| British Actress of the Year {{small|(Emily Watson)}}
| rowspan="2"| Emily Watson
| {{win}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| [[56th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goldenglobes.com/film/hilary-jackie |title=Hilary and Jackie – Golden Globes |website=[[HFPA]] |access-date=16 September 2016 |ref={{harvid|HFPA|1999}}}}</ref>
| rowspan="2"|[[Satellite Awards]]
| [[Satellite Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama|Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama]] {{small|(Emily Watson)}}
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Motion Picture Sound Editors#Golden Reel Awards|Golden Reel Awards]]
| [[Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR for Foreign Language Feature Film|Best Sound Editing – Foreign Feature]]
| Nigel Heath, Julian Slater, James Feltham, Arthur Graley, Stan Fiferman, <br> Pam Finch and Lionel Selwyn
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Musical for Feature Film|Best Sound Editing – Music – Musical Feature (Foreign & Domestic)]]
| Robert Hathaway
| {{won}}
|-
| [[London Film Critics Circle Awards 1999|London Film Critics Circle Awards]]
| [[London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Actress of the Year|British Actress of the Year]]
| rowspan="2"| Emily Watson
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| Online Film & Television Association Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oftaawards.com/film-awards/3rd-annual-film-awards-1998/ |title=3rd Annual Film Awards (1998) |website=Online Film & Television Association |access-date=15 May 2021}}</ref>
| Best Drama Actress
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Supporting Actress
| Rachel Griffiths
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Online Film Critics Society Awards 1998|Online Film Critics Society Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ofcs.org/awards/1998-awards-2nd-annual/ |title=1998 Awards (2nd Annual) |website=[[Online Film Critics Society]] |access-date=21 November 2021}}</ref>
| [[Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| rowspan="2"| Emily Watson
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[3rd Golden Satellite Awards|Satellite Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards1999.shtml |title=International Press Academy website – 1999 3rd Annual SATELLITE Awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201175700/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards1999.shtml|archive-date=1 February 2008}}</ref>
| [[Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture|Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| [[Satellite Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]]
| [[Satellite Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]]
| Frank Cottrell-Boyce
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[5th Screen Actors Guild Awards|Screen Actors Guild Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/5th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards |title=The 5th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards: Nominees and Recipients |website=[[Screen Actors Guild]] |access-date=16 September 2016 |year=1999 |ref={{harvid|SAG|1999}}}}</ref>
| rowspan="2"|[[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role - Motion Picture|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role]] {{small|(Emily Watson)}}
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role]]
| Emily Watson
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role]] {{small|(Rachel Griffiths)}}
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role]]
| Rachel Griffiths
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align=center|
|-
|-
| [[55th Venice International Film Festival|Venice International Film Festival]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americancinemapapers.com/files/VENICE_1998.htm|title=VENICE – 1998 – SPEARS OF LIGHT|access-date=6 October 2013}}</ref>
| [[Golden Lion]]
| Anand Tucker
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[20th Youth in Film Awards|Young Artist Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms20.htm |title=The 20th Annual Youth in Film Awards |publisher=Young Artist Awards |accessdate=2017-03-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128203408/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms20.htm |archivedate=2016-11-28 }}</ref>
| rowspan="2"| Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actress
| Auriol Evans
| {{nom}}
|-
| Keeley Flanders
| {{nom}}
|}
|}


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[[Category:1998 films]]
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[[Category:Biographical films about musicians]]
[[Category:Biographical films about musicians]]
[[Category:British biographical films]]
[[Category:British biographical films]]
[[Category:British films]]
[[Category:British nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:British nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of British women]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of British people]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of classical musicians]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of classical musicians]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
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[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s British films]]
[[Category:English-language biographical films]]

Latest revision as of 00:01, 10 December 2024

Hilary and Jackie
UK theatrical poster
Directed byAnand Tucker
Screenplay byFrank Cottrell Boyce
Produced byNicolas Kent
Andy Paterson
Starring
CinematographyDavid Johnson
Edited byMartin Walsh
Music byBarrington Pheloung
Distributed byFilmFour Distributors
Release dates
  • 5 September 1998 (1998-09-05) (Venice)
  • 30 December 1998 (1998-12-30) (U.S.)[1]
  • 22 January 1999 (1999-01-22) (United Kingdom)
Running time
121 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office£3.9 million (UK/US)

Hilary and Jackie is a 1998 British biographical film directed by Anand Tucker, starring Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths as the British classical musician sisters Jacqueline du Pré (cello) and Hilary du Pré (flute). The film covers Jacqueline's meteoric rise to fame, her alleged affair with Hilary's husband Christopher Finzi, and her struggle with multiple sclerosis starting in her late 20s ultimately leading to her death at the age of 42.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce wrote the screenplay at the same time that siblings Hilary and Piers du Pré were working on their memoir, published in 1997 as A Genius in the Family (later republished under the title Hilary and Jackie).[2] As such, the film's closing credits states that it is based on the memoir, though Cottrell-Boyce confirmed, in a programme distributed at early showings of the film, that: "Hilary was working on the book at the same time as I was working on the film ... it was at a very early stage when we were doing the script".[3] The film was not intended as a documentary and thus, unlike the book, does not claim to be the true story and includes some fictionalised incidents.

When it was released, the film attracted controversy when several personal friends of Jacqueline publicly condemned it for allegedly distorting details in her life, while Hilary publicly defended it as her and Piers's version of the family's story.[4][5]

Hilary and Jackie generally received critical acclaim, and both Griffiths and Watson were nominated for an Academy Award, for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress, respectively.

Plot

[edit]

In 1960s London, Derek and Iris du Pré support their daughters, Hilary and Jackie, in pursuing music professionally after being instructed throughout their childhoods by their mother; the flute for Hilary, and the cello for Jackie. Though Jackie rebelled against practising as a child, she became a virtuoso in early adulthood, quickly rising to international prominence.

While Jackie tours throughout Europe, Hilary remains in London with her parents and brother, Piers, and struggles in her musical studies at the Royal Academy of Music. She becomes acquainted with a gregarious fellow student, Kiffer Finzi, son of composer Gerald Finzi, and the two begin a romantic relationship. Hilary begins playing in a community orchestra, where she garners local fame. Jackie returns home from touring in Moscow, and pleads with Hilary to share a flat with her. Instead, Hilary marries Kiffer, and the two relocate to a farmhouse in the country to start a family. Meanwhile, Jackie begins dating pianist and conductor Danny Barenboim, with whom she bonds over their mutual love of music. Her eventual conversion to Judaism and subsequent marriage to Danny, garners significant publicity.

Later, Jackie arrives unannounced at Hilary and Kiffer's home, inexplicably forgoing scheduled engagements she has in Los Angeles. She confides to Hilary that she wants to have sex with Kiffer, and makes attempts to seduce him. The next day, Hilary finds Jackie stripped naked in the woods in the midst of an emotional breakdown. Danny arrives and attempts to console her, but she is indifferent to him. Jackie remains at Hilary's home, and Hilary consents to Jackie having a sexual encounter with Kiffer, hoping it will help her work through her nervous breakdown. This, however, ultimately drives a rift between the sisters as the affair becomes emotionally suffused. Jackie leaves and resumes touring, but yearns for a different life.

From Jackie's perspective, Hilary chose a life with Kiffer over their relationship. While Jackie finds solace in her marriage to Danny, she began to notice a subtle yet progressive deterioration of her motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It had in fact been unspoken anxieties over her health that led to her previous visit to Hilary's.

During a live performance, Jackie finds herself unable to stand, and has to be carried offstage by Danny. She is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and Hilary goes to visit her in hospital. Jackie remains optimistic about her diagnosis, but the disease progresses rapidly, leaving her unable to position her fingers or use a bow. Danny continues to conduct around the world, and Jackie finds he is having an affair. As her disease progresses, she becomes paralysed before becoming deaf and mute. One autumn night, in 1987, Hilary and Piers go to visit Jackie. Holding Jackie – who is in the throes of tremors – Hilary recounts a cherished childhood memory of the two playing on the beach. Shortly after, Hilary and Piers hear news of Jackie's death on the radio. The film ends with Jackie's spirit standing on the beach where she used to play as a child, watching herself and her sister frolicking on the sand as little girls.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Scenes were filmed in the Blue Coat School, the County Sessions House, George's Dock, St. George's Hall, and the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Additional scenes were filmed at the Royal Academy of Music and Wigmore Hall in London, and most interiors were shot at Shepperton Studios in Surrey. Brithdir Mawr, an ancient house in north Wales, was used for location shots of Hilary's house.[6]

Classical pieces performed in the film include compositions by Edward Elgar, Joseph Haydn, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, César Franck, Matthias Georg Monn, Georg Friedrich Händel, Robert Schumann, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Antonín Dvořák. Jacqueline du Pré's cello in the movie was played and synchronised to Emily Watson's movements by Caroline Dale.

Release

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

Hilary and Jackie was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on 22 January 1999[7] and grossed £1 million ($1.6 million).[8] In the United States, it premiered on 30 December 1998 in a limited release.[1] In the United States and Canada, the film grossed US$4,912,892 (£2.9 million) at the box office.[9]

Critical response

[edit]
Emily Watson, seen here in 2016, played Jacqueline du Pré.
Rachel Griffiths, seen here in 2012, played Hilary du Pré.

In his review in The New York Times, Stephen Holden called the film "one of the most insightful and wrenching portraits of the joys and tribulations of being a classical musician ever filmed" and "an astoundingly rich and subtle exploration of sibling rivalry and the volcanic collisions of love and resentment, competitiveness and mutual dependence that determine their lives." He went on to say "Hilary and Jackie is as beautifully acted as it is directed, edited and written."[10]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times described it as "an extraordinary film [that] makes no attempt to soften the material or make it comforting through the cliches of melodrama."[11]

In the San Francisco Chronicle, Edward Guthmann stated, "Watson is riveting and heartbreaking. Assisted by Tucker's elegant direction and Boyce's thoughtful, scrupulous writing, she gives a knockout performance."[12]

Anthony Lane of The New Yorker said, "The sense of period, of ungainly English pride, is funny and acute, but the movie mislays its sense of wit as the girls grow up. The nub of the tale... feels both overblown and oddly beside the point; it certainly means that Tucker takes his eye, or his ear, off the music. The whole picture, indeed, is more likely to gratify the emotionally prurient than to appease lovers of Beethoven and Elgar."[13]

Entertainment Weekly rated the film A− and added, "This unusual, unabashedly voluptuous biographical drama, a bravura feature debut for British TV director Anand Tucker, soars on two virtuoso performances: by the rightfully celebrated Emily Watson . . . and by the under-celebrated Rachel Griffiths."[14]

Rana Dasgupta wrote in an essay about biographical films that "the film's tagline – 'The true story of two sisters who shared a passion, a madness and a man' – is a good indication of its prurient intent. The book's moving account of love and solidarity, whose characters are incomplete and complex but not "mad", is rejected in favour of a salacious account of social deviance."[15]

Controversy

[edit]

Although the film was a critical success, and received two Academy Award nominations, it ignited a furore, especially in London, centre of du Pre's performing life.[16] A group of her closest colleagues, including fellow cellists Mstislav Rostropovich and Julian Lloyd Webber, sent a "bristling" letter to The Times in February 1999.[17][18][19] Webber noted in an article published in The Telegraph:

Hilary and Jackie is an ugly film, not because it is badly made or acted – quite the reverse – but because Emily Watson's du Pré bears no resemblance to the radiant Jackie I remember so well, first as a brilliant cellist, and later when I came to know her after she contracted MS. The film woefully fails to convey Jacqueline du Pré's wonderful joy in making music and her unique ability to bring that joy to her audience. Worst of all, the book that spawned the film was written by her elder sister, Hilary, and younger brother, Piers – two siblings apparently eaten up by bitterness and jealousy.[7]

Clare Finzi, Hilary du Pré's daughter, charged that the film was a "gross misinterpretation, which I cannot let go unchallenged." Daniel Barenboim said, "Couldn't they have waited until I was dead?"[17] Additionally, a friend of Jacqueline du Pré's, guitarist John Williams, in an interview for The Observer, called the film "macabre" and "sick", adding: "My friend Jackie has been betrayed".[20]

Hilary du Pré wrote in The Guardian, "At first I could not understand why people didn't believe my story because I had set out to tell the whole truth. When you tell someone the truth about your family, you don't expect them to turn around and say that it's bunkum. But I knew that Jackie would have respected what I had done. If I had gone for half-measures, she would have torn it up. She would have wanted the complete story to be told."[4] Jay Fielden reported in The New Yorker that she'd said, "When you love someone, you love the whole of them. Those who are against the film want to look only at the pieces of Jackie's life that they accept. I don’t think the film has taken any liberties at all. Jackie would have absolutely loved it."[19]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award Category Recipient(s) Result
Academy Awards[21] Best Actress Emily Watson Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Rachel Griffiths Nominated
British Academy Film Awards[22] Outstanding British Film Andy Paterson, Nicolas Kent and Anand Tucker Nominated
Best Actress in a Leading Role Emily Watson Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Frank Cottrell-Boyce Nominated
Best Original Music Barrington Pheloung Nominated
Best Sound Nigel Heath, Julian Slater, David Crozier, Ray Merrin and Graham Daniel Nominated
British Independent Film Awards[23] Best British Film Nominated
Best Director Anand Tucker Won
Best Actress Rachel Griffiths Nominated
Emily Watson Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards[24] Best Actress Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Rachel Griffiths Nominated
Chlotrudis Awards[25] Best Actress Emily Watson Nominated
Golden Globe Awards[26] Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Nominated
Golden Reel Awards Best Sound Editing – Foreign Feature Nigel Heath, Julian Slater, James Feltham, Arthur Graley, Stan Fiferman,
Pam Finch and Lionel Selwyn 		Nominated
Best Sound Editing – Music – Musical Feature (Foreign & Domestic) Robert Hathaway Won
London Film Critics Circle Awards British Actress of the Year Emily Watson Won
Online Film & Television Association Awards[27] Best Drama Actress Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Rachel Griffiths Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Awards[28] Best Actress Emily Watson Nominated
Satellite Awards[29] Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Frank Cottrell-Boyce Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards[30] Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Emily Watson Nominated
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Rachel Griffiths Nominated
Venice International Film Festival[31] Golden Lion Anand Tucker Nominated
Young Artist Awards[32] Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actress Auriol Evans Nominated
Keeley Flanders Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Hilary and Jackie". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  2. ^ Du Pré, Piers; Du Pré, Hilary (1997). A Genius in the Family: An Intimate Memoir of Jacqueline du Pré. London: Heinemann. ISBN 0-434-00344-1.
  3. ^ 'Inside Film' programme, handed out at early showings of the film
  4. ^ a b Du Pré, Hilary (21 January 1999). "The truth about our wonderful sister Jackie". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  5. ^ Moss, Stephen (21 January 1999). "Du Pré sister defends film". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Loggerheads – Moel Famau". British Listed Buildings.
  7. ^ a b Lloyd Webber, Julian (4 January 1999). "An insult to Jackie's memory". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 26 February 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Top 10 UK Indie Releases". Screen International. 28 January 2000. p. 18.
  9. ^ "Hilary and Jackie (1998)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  10. ^ Holden, Stephen (30 December 1998). "'Hilary and Jackie': Discordant Concerto, Played Upon Two Hearts". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  11. ^ Ebert, Roger (15 January 1999). "Hilary and Jackie". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  12. ^ Guthmann, Edward (15 January 1999). "Commanding Presences: Watson plays it perfectly as tortured cello star in 'Hilary and Jackie'". San Francisco Chronicle.
  13. ^ Lane, Anthony (25 January 1999). "Hilary and Jackie". The New Yorker.
  14. ^ "Movie Review: Hilary and Jackie". Entertainment Weekly. 8 January 1999. Archived from the original on 9 June 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  15. ^ Dasgupta, Rana (21 September 2008). "The next idea of the artist: Art, music and the present threat of creativity". Essay about Beethoven, du Pre and biographical films.
  16. ^ Hornaday, Ann (22 January 1999). "Sour notes mar 'Hilary and Jackie'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  17. ^ a b Nordlinger, Jay (22 February 1999). "Music: Twisted Sister – Review". National Review. ISSN 0028-0038. Retrieved 20 April 2018. Closed access icon
  18. ^ "Du Pre film blasted by the critics". BBC News. 22 January 1999. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  19. ^ a b Fielden, Jay (8 February 1999). "The Talk of the Town: The Pictures". The New Yorker. Subscription required.
  20. ^ Williams, John (24 January 1999). "'It's macabre. It's sick. My friend Jackie has been betrayed'". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  21. ^ "The 71st Academy Awards (1999) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  22. ^ "BAFTA Awards: Film in 1999". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. 1999. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  23. ^ "1999 BIFA Winners and Nominations". British Independent Film Awards. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  24. ^ "1988-2013 Award Winner Archives". Chicago Film Critics Association. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  25. ^ "5th Annual Chlotrudis Awards". Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Hilary and Jackie – Golden Globes". HFPA. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  27. ^ "3rd Annual Film Awards (1998)". Online Film & Television Association. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  28. ^ "1998 Awards (2nd Annual)". Online Film Critics Society. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  29. ^ "International Press Academy website – 1999 3rd Annual SATELLITE Awards". Archived from the original on 1 February 2008.
  30. ^ "The 5th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards: Nominees and Recipients". Screen Actors Guild. 1999. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  31. ^ "VENICE – 1998 – SPEARS OF LIGHT". Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  32. ^ "The 20th Annual Youth in Film Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
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