Based on the tell-all memoir by du Pré’s sister Hilary, played here by Rachel Griffiths, the director Anand Tucker’s beautifully composed drama explores the tensions of creative genius spiced by terrible illness, sibling rivalry and adultery.

| Nov 9, 2023

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.

| Mar 3, 2018

This is an actors' film, and the actors are actually rather good. That may not make it a fashionable movie, but it's not a negligible achievement.

| Jun 18, 2012

| Original Score: A- | Sep 7, 2011

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.

Full Review | Mar 26, 2009

Watson's performance is virtuoso: passionate, sensitive, impressionable and sometimes grotesque; and she's well matched by the subtle Griffiths and vibrant Morrisey.

| Jun 24, 2006

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 19, 2002

The acting by Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths, playing Jackie and Hilary, respectively, as adults, is first-rate.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

The story is told in such a chopped-up way that it often seems pointless and certainly devoid of much-needed editing.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2000

For all its knock-'em-dead acting and aggressively stylish direction, Hilary and Jackie is still best described as arthouse comfort food: a big, proteiny platterful of cinematic meatloaf...

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 1, 2000

An extraordinary film!

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 1, 2000

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jan 1, 2000

While the raw material may be compelling, it doesn't always add up to satisfactory cinema.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 1, 2000

"Hilary and Jackie" is either an incredibly complex movie or an incredibly confusing one. Since I can't seem to make up my mind which one it is, I guess I'll have to cast my vote for confusing.

| Jan 1, 2000

Profound and haunting!

| Jan 1, 2000

One of the most insightful and wrenching portraits of the joys and tribulations of being a classical musician ever filmed.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Jan 1, 2000

GUTSY, moving, provocative, intelligent and thoroughly grown-up, Hilary and Jackie is one of the best movies of the year.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

Watson is a mercurial presence with huge, nervous baby eyes, and when she cuts loose, an otherwise conventional film shudders with anxiety.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

A superb biographical account of the tragic life of cellist Jacqueline Du Pre and of the complex relationship between her and her older sister!

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000