Watson lost Oscar because Griffiths was also up for Best Actress?

IMHO. I don't know that for sure, but she had just come off her incredible performance in Breaking the Waves (talk about another great but depressing film) and I would have thought that it was her time. In any case, I think Emily never has had quite as great a role since. I saw this movie at the theater eight times and I am so glad that I did not know the true story at the time. This remains one of my all-time favorite films but the end should have been truthful. Barenboim paid for most of her treatment and was there for her last two days while Hilary and Piers rarely visited and came only after Jacqueline died. Admittedly, Jackie was in such bad shape during the last five years of her life that she may not have been able to receive visitors. According to a 1999 article in The Guardian, longtime friend, classical guitarist John Williams, said Hilary and Piers had repeatedly told Jackie over the years that her MS was God's punishment for converting to Judaism upon marrying Barenboim. Jackie had pathetically asked Williams on more than one occasion whether he thought this was really so. Most of Jackie's professional friends have condemned this film. Too bad. Like I said, I'm glad I did not know the truth back then.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/jan/24/theobserver.uknews1