Watch Loving Miss Hatto

Loving Miss Hatto is a British made-for-television drama from 2012, directed by Aisling Walsh, which tells the story of how a classical pianist named Joyce Hatto (played by Francesca Annis) became an overnight sensation at the age of 74, after being considered a minor talent for most of her life. The film begins by introducing the audience to a young Joyce Hatto, who is being coached by her mother in their small apartment in England during the 1930s. Despite her natural talent, Joyce's mother is determined to turn her daughter into a virtuoso pianist by any means necessary, enforcing strict practice schedules and subjecting Joyce to intense criticism.

The plot then jumps forward to the early 21st century, where Joyce Hatto is now an elderly woman living in seclusion with her husband, William Barrington-Coupe (played by Alfred Molina), who is also her manager. William realizes that his wife's career is not going anywhere, and he decides to try to boost her reputation by releasing recordings of her playing classical music, which he claims were recorded in the past but never released. The recordings receive rave reviews, and Joyce becomes a media sensation, hailed as a forgotten genius whose work was lost to time.

However, this newfound success is threatened when a music critic named Jed (played by Rory Kinnear) finds similarities between Joyce's recordings and those of other renowned pianists. As Jed digs deeper, he discovers that the Hatto recordings are actually plagiarized from other musicians, including his own late wife.

The movie is a fascinating and poignant examination of the nature of genius, ambition, and deception. Francesca Annis gives a moving performance as Joyce Hatto, conveying the frustration and bitterness of a woman who felt that her true potential was never realized. Molina also gives an excellent turn as William, a man who is willing to go to great lengths to help his wife fulfill her dreams, even if it means crossing ethical boundaries.

The film's themes are heightened by its elegant and evocative cinematography, which captures the beauty and intensity of the classical music that forms the backdrop of the story. The film features stunning performances of works by Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Chopin, and Liszt, among others, which help to accentuate the film's themes.

Overall, Loving Miss Hatto is a gripping and thought-provoking drama that raises important questions about the nature of artistic creativity and the risks and rewards of pursuing a life in the arts. The film is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to find a place in the world, or to fulfill their true potential in the face of adversity.

Loving Miss Hatto is a must-see for anyone who loves classical music, as well as anyone who is passionate about great storytelling and compelling performances. It is a testament to the enduring power of music, as well as the human spirit, to triumph over even the most formidable obstacles.

Loving Miss Hatto is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.