The Great Lillian Hall

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.

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.

There is no other actress who could've played the title role with such fervent theatrical flourish and deep emotional conviction in this small-scale 2024 drama. Jessica Lange has built up her stage credentials to match her significant screen accomplishments, so at 75, she is perfectly cast as a theatrical legend in the autumn of her career starring in a revival of Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard". At the same time, she is diagnosed to be in the early stages of dementia. Forgetting her lines at rehearsals and increasingly confused about the world around her, Lillian copes with trying to live up to her own lofty expectations as well as defrosting a contrived relationship with her daughter whose resentment threatens to untether their shaky connection. A sturdy supporting cast surrounds Lange with expert assurance: Kathy Bates predictably cast as Lillian's no-nonsense assistant, Lily Rabe as the forgotten daughter, Jesse Williams as the patient young director, Pierce Brosnan as a convenient neighbor, and Cindy Hogan as the sharp-tongued mercenary producer. There were moments that seemed too on-the-nose to be dramatically effective like an impromptu mother-daughter duet of "Mockingbird", but Lange somehow transcends it all with her unique virtuosity.

The leading actress Lillian Hall, Played by Jessica Lange, is having a tough time remembering her lines and eventually she is sent to a doctor by her director. We watch her fumble through a memory test and ultimately she's diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. But she's a tough old bird, and she is not interested in giving up being in the Broadway production of The Cherry Orchard.

We watch her trying to tell her daughter what her problem is, but she can't bring herself to say the words. Her daughter and family are confused that she's paying them more attention that she ever does, but they can't figure out what's up.

Her assistant, Played by Kathy Bates, has been hired by her now deceased husband to help her in every way, but she is horrified that it has come to this point.

The producer of the show wants her understudy to play the part but Lillian is wandering around Central Park when she's supposed to be at the opening of the play. I won't tell you what happens next. It's a wonderful job, a wonderful story, and an excellent movie.

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.