I knew the sad story of celebrated cellist Jacqueline du Pré (played by Emily Watson), yet I didn't realize her sister Hilary (Rachel Griffiths) was also a talented flautist, nor that there were supposedly some complicated dynamics within their family’s relationships. Early on, both girls are pushed by their parents (Celia Imrie and Charles Dance) to work diligently and perform at their highest level, quickly becoming fixtures in the concert world. Despite being younger, Jackie, who is more extroverted, becomes the better-known performer while Hilary marries Kiffer (David Morrisey), raises a family, and settles into a secluded country house. It’s during a visit to that home that things shift considerably between the sisters, and even with Daniel Barenboim (James Frain) entering the picture and marrying Jackie, their bond becomes tense until a serious illness begins to limit her cello playing and eventually leaves her needing a wheelchair; from there, the story is fairly predictable. The film draws on Hilary’s account of events, though other family members have challenged its accuracy, so it might be best viewed with some skepticism—but there are two very good performances at the center, along with beautiful musical pieces featuring the actual du Pré and composers like Sir Edward Elgar and JS Bach, which offer a sense of the cellist's extraordinary skill. It also provides insight into the competitive atmosphere surrounding Jacqueline’s life, but there are still some happy—even lighthearted—moments, and it really highlights the gorgeous sounds that can be produced by a Stradivarius cello named “Davidov.” The film is a drama, occasionally edging toward melodrama, but Watson and Griffiths keep things grounded and make it worthwhile to see (and hear).

Source on TMDB