Whoever decided to cast Rachel Griffiths and Emily Watson as sisters? Thank you.
What it's about
Growing up, flautist Hilary du Pré has an excellent bond with her cellist sister Jacqueline, bonded by the love of music in their respective fields. However, after Jackie’s genius playing lands her in the international spotlight, their rivalry starts to tear them apart.
The take
Comparisons are easy between friends and within peer groups, but the comparison that is most immediate is that between you and your sibling, especially when they wound up more successful than you are. Hilary and Jackie captures that experience between two real-life musical sisters, but the comparison is so much more difficult as Jackie shot to cellist superstardom, even with under the same musical beginnings as her less known sister Hilary. It’s flawed, but it’s deeply personal, diving into their shared anxieties from two different lives, and it’s surprisingly well-rounded, perfectly halved between the sisters’ perspectives led excellently by Rachel Griffiths and Emily Watson. Hilary and Jackie is not comfortable to watch, especially during Jackie’s later years, but it’s a daring portrait of a difficult, but still loving, sibling relationship.
What stands out
Being based on real people, Hilary and Jackie drew controversy for Jackie’s portrayal from her family, friends, and loved ones, with the real-life Hilary having to write an op-ed defending the film. Part of the controversy makes sense, with the film only depicting the tough moments of Jackie’s multiple sclerosis. However, watching this 25 years later, the controversy feels a bit undeserved, especially since it’s clear that it’s been shaped from Hilary’s perspective.
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