Review of Quartet (2012) by Stuart K — 07 Feb 2013

Directed by Dustin Hoffman, his directorial debut, and one set in England too. This is adapted from Ronald Harwood's 1999 play, with Harwood doing the screenplay. It's an enjoyable comedy-drama which, on the surface, looks like another excuse to get some of Britain's finest old actors together again, but it's a touching and warmly funny story showing that old musicians and singers can still enthrall.

At Beecham House for Retired Musicians, the residents hold an annual concert every year to celebrate Giuseppe Verdi's birthday. One group of old musicians are Reggie Paget (Tom Courtenay), Wilf Bond (Billy Connolly) and Cissy Robson (Pauline Collins), who have performed together before years and years earlier, and look back on old days with happiness.

But their peaceful existence is shattered when the home get's a new resident in the form of Jean Horton (Maggie Smith), who used to be married to Reggie. Old wounds are reopened, but Jean is soon encouraged to take part in the concert for Verdi, as part of a Quartet with Reggie, Wilf and Cissy.

It's a funny comedy, very contained and quirky too. If it is an excuse to have old timers together, then it's a good one, as it works and it shows the growing pains of getting old too, and that some never mature.

But it's a who's who of old British talent as well.