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.

I have always been a fan of Jessica Lange, but this is the performance of her career. I truly loved this movie. The cast is supurb, Kathy Bates gives a solid performance and Lily Rabe's daughter to Lange will make your heart ache. My mother had LBD and I found the depictions of the disease to be extremely accurate. My mother hid her disease as long as she could, so I found that part of the story to be especially accurate. I was also impressed by the fantasy aspect of the play as a counter point to the fantasy aspects of the actual disease.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone. Ms Lange deserves an Oscar in my opinion.

Jessica Lange is Magical & Astounding. This movie is the perfect platform to remind the world of her prolific acting. While being engrossed in the movie, you can find yourself feeling the same emotions that she is portraying on screen. It truly says something, when you can be so taken aback by a film. The Great Lillian Hall should be nominated for some serious awards. Lily Rabe and Katy Bates were also remarkable. Lange portrays a broadway actress preparing for her next role and an obstacle that could end it all, makes her pour her everything into the production, singing her swan song. The struggles of navigating this chapter makes her character win the hearts of millions and myself.

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.