This incredibly strong film is driven by the hypothesis that genius can be ultimately alienating. Jacqueline du Pre is show almost as a slave to talent; a talent which both sets her apart from her family and introduces her to new glamorous world of celebrity. This is then tragically taken away from her with the onset of MS. It's classic drama anyway, but even more distinguished for the following reasons. Firstly, the screenplay divides the film neatly into two halves; Hilary's point of view, and then Jackie's. It's an interesting approach; with our initial perceptions of Jackie's devisive prima donna becoming more sympathetic throughout the latter half of the film as key events are repeated from a different perspective (the dirty laundry scene, for example). Secondly, music is used thoughtfully and continuously throughout the film, giving it an almost orchestrated rhythmical structure. Finally, the acting is just superb. Emily Watson's virtuoso performance is nothing short of stunning, flowing from spoilt brat to kittenish flirt to little girl lost fluidly and with subtlety. Rachel Griffiths provides a solid and effective counterpoint, yet her character develops also throughout the course of the film. It's this strong development of such complex characters that makes this film such an emotional tour-de-force, and if I have a complaint, it's that it does seem to drag a little towards the end. However, 'Hilary and Jackie' is immediately engaging, thought-provoking, meticulously scripted, outstandingly and ultimately, uplifting. Best film I've seen so far this year?
Review of Hilary and Jackie
