Review of Quartet (2012) by Ted N — 03 Jan 2013

Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut following four retired opera singers as they reunite for one last hurrah is a predictably charming, gentle comedy-drama graced with fine performances from the...erm, quartet of Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Maggie Smith and Pauline Collins.

A very funny Michael Gambon is also great as the cantankerous would-be director as is the lovely Sheridan Smith as the young but dedicated doctor in charge of the lot. Ronald Harwood's script keeps things sweet and simple all the way and, perhaps thanks to its theatrical roots, neatly avoids the clichà (C)s that could have crept in otherwise.

On that note (no pun intended), there is a lack of momentum running throughout and there is a feeling at the end that the characters and conflicts haven't quite been explored enough. But overall, it's a solid, if unexpected and undynamic, first step in the directors chair for Hoffman and played perfectly by the starring foursome and virtually everyone else in the cast.