Review of Quartet (2012) by Daniel K — 07 Jan 2013

A pleasant diversion that finds debuting director Dustin Hoffman dealing with some heavy themes (growing old, fading from the public eye, facing up to past transgressions) with a winningly light touch.

Despite the theatrical personalities on display and the melodramatic situations they face (decades-old heart-break, sudden health scares, will the show go on?), one of the film's primary strengths is its consistently low-key approach.

The only performer who really gets a chance to chew up the scenery is Michael Gambon (never grumpier, deploying every fold and wrinkle in his face for maximum curmudgeonly effect), but performances are strong across the board, especially from Maggie Smith (given a rare opportunity to 'glam up'), Tom Courtenay and Pauline Collins.

A supporting cast of elderly thesps and retired musicians (doing their own singing and playing) round out a gentle confection that could possibly give its cast a little more meat to chew on, but remains charming nonetheless.

(Seen at Cinema 3, Penthouse Cinema, Wellington - 27 December 2012).