Quartet

There seems to be a rapid influx of films about elderly characters learning to find something worth living for, from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to Song for Marion (Unfinished Song for those in the US). Add Quartet to this bunch but put it at the top because this film is a treat from start to finish. Quartet tells the story of the men and women who live in a retirement home for old musicians and are preparing for an annual concert to celebrate Verdi's birthday. These plans are disrupted by the arrival of Jean (Maggie Smith), a famous classical singer who has a history with Reg (Tom Courtenay), one that affects not just Jean, Reg, Wilf (Billy Connelly doing some of his best work to date) and Cissy (Pauline Collins) but the concert as well. Quartet is an oddity because it is a relatively safe film for first time director Dustin Hoffman but he shows a knack for character and how to frame a scene that impresses. Each character is smartly written and performed wonderfully by the Quartet of actors. Every character in the film feels like a person and not a pre written stereotype designed to progress the story, Quartet isn't really about the story its about the interaction and how to see life in a different way. The film isn't about the retirement home but the people in it and the relationships the form while there, something Hoffman emphasises through his direction. Hoffman's skill as a director brings out the best in his performers and the highlight has to be Billy Connelly's Wilf who is the resident joker at the home but is also a devoted friend who isn't afraid to deliver some much needed brutal honesty to a few characters in dire need of a boot up the arse. Maggie Smith is reliable as always but she doesn't shine the same way Connelly and Courtenay shine. Courtenay is terrific as the heart on his sleeve Reg who doesn't so much regret getting old, he regrets his past and just wants to hide away from it and enjoy the time he has left, something that proves hard following the arrival of Jean. It's a film that injects humour and heart into a story that feels like it has been told before, just not in as much detail. The idea that life goes on is not a new concept but by framing the film around a concert that could be considered a last hurrah the film thrives in its message of optimism and living life to the full.

A cinema-going of this feel-good crowder-pleaser from Dustin Hoffman

The Quartet is a well-made, but in the end thin feelgood story about aging. The story is based on a play script. This gives the scenes static feel and drag the movie instead of moving it forward. As summary, there just isn't enough in the mix to keep viewer intrigued.

Dustin Hoffman is making his directorial debut at the age of 75 with

If I could find a word of 150 characters (the minimum required of a review) that meant "Appalling" I'd use it. Oh god, and i still need 50 odd more ****!