Review of A Late Quartet (2012) by Hieu N — 07 Jul 2013

A Late Quartet manages to tackle what is a very niche subject matter, that of classical composition and quartet orchestration, seemingly appealing only to a select audience, and yet manages to widen its reach to be a truly successful drama. It does this without ever sacrificing its indie sensibilities, or dumbing down the inner-workings of the group, but rather does this with an emphasis on the characters and their dynamics. The result is a film that never ceases to be engaging, and one that feels both emotionally raw and poignant.

To pull off such a feat, a superb cast is needed. A Late Quartet masters this, with Philip Seymour Hoffman as his usual brilliant self, Catherine Keener inhibiting her role perfectly, Christopher Walken having a refreshingly straight performance, and Mark Ivanir having one of the more calculated and interesting performances of the film. All of the actors have palpable chemistry with each other, which is very much needed for the film's many melodramatic moments. Their exchanges feel real, their intensity is undeniable. The film's smart script, which focuses on characterizations, allows the actors the necessary room to breathe, an especially daunting task for an ensemble cast and a shorter film.

One should not go in to A Late Quartet expecting a clinic on how a Quartet is run, or the finer points that such music involves. This is simply a background to a moving story on the lives of a group of inter-connected people at a crossroads. Taken on these merits, A Late Quartet is a strong success, smartly written, executed well, and appropriately moving.

4/5 Stars.