The Great Lillian Hall

A lot of folk who have been around theater collaborate to provide a convincing look at putting on a show, and how difficult it is when your leading lady, "the first lady of the American theater," is in the early stages of dementia. Supposedly it's based on the latter-day career of Marian Seldes, and Jessica Lange is, as others have said, rather magnificent in suggesting a Broadway star's pride, neglect of loved ones, and denial of her medical crisis. The theatrical details are by and large convincing, though that's clearly no Broadway house (the movie appears to have been made largely in Marietta, Georgia), and, much as we'd like it to be true, opening-night audiences these days don't dress in formal wear. Good acting all around, especially from Kathy Bates as Lillian's no-nonsense caretaker and Lily Rabe as her justifiably resentful daughter; Pierce Brosnan is also around, as an aging-roue next-door neighbor who provides acid commentary and sympathy where it's really needed. Michael Cristofer, an award-winning playwright from way back, directs capably, and if the ending feels a bit unrealistic, it's still a compelling, if often hard-to-watch, journey to it.

Watching this movies was difficult. The lead performances were excellent and the screenplay was sensitive to the subjective and beautifully written. What more can be said about Jessica Lange. As in the role she played, she is the consummate actor who leaves nothing on the table.

The artifice of the play within a play was well done. The ending was difficult to decide how to go. But it landed well although there could have been an alternate ending. Using the Cherry Orchard was a an apt allegory. The director and the actors put all they had into thier roles and it showed. Thank you HBO for producing such a wonderful movie.

As a fan of "American Horror Story," particularly the early seasons, the prospect of seeing Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Lily Rabe reunited in a new film had me instantly hooked. "The Great Lillian Hall" is a remarkable production that explores the complexities of dementia with finesse. Comparisons to Anthony Hopkins' portrayal in "The Father" are inevitable. Both actors deliver outstanding performances in their respective films, but "The Father" stands out for its ability to immerse the viewer in the bewildering and fragmented world of the person suffering from dementia, offering a tighter and more gripping narrative.

In "The Great Lillian Hall," Jessica Lange's mesmerizing portrayal is the film's crown jewel, showcasing her unparalleled acting prowess. Her performance alone makes the movie a must-watch, providing a poignant and powerful exploration of dementia that is both heart-wrenching and captivating. If you're a fan of brilliant acting and emotionally charged storytelling, "The Great Lillian Hall" is not to be missed.

What a ravishing film. Superb, moving, deep performances by all. A fabulous screen play that captures a life in the theater like its rarely seen. This is probably the finest film of this year. Awards all around. This is the kind of movie they should be making more of of... filled with feeling, about life and relationships, and the sacrifices we make for what we love. Rare, and hopefully will be seeing more like this.

Jessica Lange is a national treasure, and Kathy Bates continues to be an amazing actress. Lily Rabe will break your heart. Have tissues handy. Direction is perfect, capturing all the emotion for a small screen.

Well done all.

For over forty years, Jessica Lange has been one of the most renowned actresses of her generation, both on the big and small screens, as well as stage. She combines these in "The Great Lillian Hall", playing a Broadway star beginning to suffer from dementia. Lange really puts her all into the role. Fine support comes from Kathy Bates, Lily Rabe, Jesse Williams and Pierce Brosnan. It just goes to show that when a story focuses on people rather than nonstop CGI, we actually end up with a good story. This is exactly the sort of movie that I recommend to everyone, and I hope that Jessica Lange gets to continue making these sorts of movies.