Review of Quartet (2012) by David B — 06 Jan 2013

This is an undemanding film set in a home for elderly opera stars and musicians who remain active and involved in their lives. Jean Horton played by Maggie Smith, can no longer stay at home and moves into the opulent country rest-home reluctantly. She realises that an old flame (Tom Courtenay) is living there and demons are stirred from the past. The two re-open and examine old wounds and this is the focus of the film. An ensemble cast is simply brilliant....all the stars shine bright with particularly fine performances from Courtenay, Connolly and Collins.

The film then switches to the 4 main stars practising for a concert celebrating the music of Verdi in particular the "Quartet" of the title.

There are fine moments of drama and the script's points about aging and unfinished business are carefully managed with a large slice of humour.

One can feel that Dustin Hoffman, here directing his first feature, has tremendous warmth towards this brilliant British cast. He also was executive producer.

The performance of Maggie Smith is the centrepiece of this film. She uses the "F" word more than once and she draws in the attention with each nuance of her performance. Behind the elderly features are those sharp eyes taking in everything around her. Worthy of an Oscar nomination I hope!

The film concludes with credits showing photos of all the stars in their earlier days- and surprisingly this is what brings a tear to the eye. The juggernaut of age cannot be halted but it can be resisted with dignity and love.

Strongly recommended.