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Review

A demanding but ultimately rewarding biography, Hilary and Jackie features two remarkable performances from Watson and Griffiths as the two British sisters, one the world-renowned cellist Jacqueline du Pré. Divided into two parts titled after each sister, the film traces their lives from childhood (where sibling rivalry was encouraged) to Jackie's success in the music field and Hilary's departure from it to Jackie's illness from multiple sclerosis. Giving bits of information in one part and then completing the story in the next adds a dimension not always associated with "disease-of-the-week" films, and the relationship between the two sisters is well-rounded, but the screenplay isn't always sufficient in explaining just what makes Jackie tick. Watson as Jackie and Griffiths as Hilary complement each other beautifully, each giving precise, singular portrayals.