Review of Quartet (2012) by Blake P — 02 Jan 2014

As "Quartet" moves by at its quick, TV-movie of the week pace, you can't help but wonder - if it wasn't helmed by Dustin Hoffman and didn't have such a famous, and undeniably incredible cast, would it be getting nearly as much attention? Coming off of the runaway success of the heartwarming "The Best Exotic Marigold", you can't help but feel as though "Quartet" is a bit of a cash-in towards the old-people revolving, dramedy genre.

The film has its own Marigold Hotel of sorts, although this time it is a home for the elderly that is specifically designed for retired musicians, which is known as the Beecham House. Most of its residents were big in their hey-day, and rather than taking a break off of their musical careers, they still keep their talents close as hobbies.

Things go abuzz when a new resident, Jean Horton (Maggie Smith) shows up. Jean was once part of a famous quartet, and it just so happens that its other members (Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, and Pauline Collins) are residing at Beecham House as well. Their relationship with Jean is strained, as she left the group to pursue a solo career, and she also was married briefly to Reggie (Courtenay) - that ended in divorce. Jean shows up with bitterness, but as time progresses, things return to the things they once were.

Even as "Quartet" starts, you cant help but want to groan. Instantaneously there is a forced chipper attitude that makes the situation feel forced, and a bit fake. The characters feel more like cutouts than originals - the usual "old people" characters are all here: there's the stiff (Courtenay), the geezer sexpot (Connolly), the dreamy one (Collins), and the fun-sucker who becomes a part of the fun by the end (Smith).

Hoffman gives his best intentions, but "Quartet" only proves that he is better in front of the camera. Though he isn't necessarily a bad director, he doesn't have enough style and tone to really set apart his talents. The screenplay is filled with missed attempts at humor, and the drama feels flat instead of alive, as it should. The actors give it their all, especially Smith, who puts her famous icy demeanor to good use.

Overall, "Quartet" is well-meaning, and a bit sweet, but there isn't much that gives it the fire and intelligence that "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" has. No, it isn't always fair to compare two films, but when they are so similar and one is so much better than the other, it's a bit difficult not to.