Whenever Channel Four Films associate themselves with a film, it seems like it is a guarantee of high quality. This time they are merely the distributors, but still... the formula works!
This film is quite a controversial one, especially since it refers to a true story and the real life survivors do not agree between them on the interpretation of things. It refers to the relationship of the Du Pré sisters as they grew up together only to follow different routes as adults. Jacqueline Du Pré (Emily Watson - The Boxer (1997), Breaking the Waves (1996)) became the famous cellist, while her sister Hilary Du Pré (Rachel Griffiths - Bettina in My Son the Fanatic (1998), My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), Jude (1996), Muriel's Wedding (1994)) became a mother and a housewife. Although the film became known for what was supposedly catalytic to their relationship, the event of Jackie sleeping with Hilary's husband, it seems in the actual film that this fact was totally irrelevant. It seems like it is the different nature of the two sisters, as well as their different experiences, that separate and/or connect them.
The unknown director Anand Tucker manages to extract magnificent performances from his cast with no exceptions, notably from James Frain (Daniel Barenboim, Jackie's husband), David Morrissey (Kiffer Finzi, Hilary's husband), Charles Dance and Celia Imrie (Derek and Iris Du Pré, the parents). The very interesting story line, told independently from either sister's side, is of course "decorated" by wonderful classical music, another subject of controversy between the owners of Jackie's recordings and the publishers of the film's soundtrack. For the exceptional sweetness delivered to eyes and ears, 7 out of 10.
This film is quite a controversial one, especially since it refers to a true story and the real life survivors do not agree between them on the interpretation of things. It refers to the relationship of the Du Pré sisters as they grew up together only to follow different routes as adults. Jacqueline Du Pré (Emily Watson - The Boxer (1997), Breaking the Waves (1996)) became the famous cellist, while her sister Hilary Du Pré (Rachel Griffiths - Bettina in My Son the Fanatic (1998), My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), Jude (1996), Muriel's Wedding (1994)) became a mother and a housewife. Although the film became known for what was supposedly catalytic to their relationship, the event of Jackie sleeping with Hilary's husband, it seems in the actual film that this fact was totally irrelevant. It seems like it is the different nature of the two sisters, as well as their different experiences, that separate and/or connect them.
The unknown director Anand Tucker manages to extract magnificent performances from his cast with no exceptions, notably from James Frain (Daniel Barenboim, Jackie's husband), David Morrissey (Kiffer Finzi, Hilary's husband), Charles Dance and Celia Imrie (Derek and Iris Du Pré, the parents). The very interesting story line, told independently from either sister's side, is of course "decorated" by wonderful classical music, another subject of controversy between the owners of Jackie's recordings and the publishers of the film's soundtrack. For the exceptional sweetness delivered to eyes and ears, 7 out of 10.