Quartet [DVD]

Brilliant Company of actors (Cast together for a change) Good Directing , some lovely photography and a GREAT location. This is NOT my style of film,(quasi musical) but it really works. Its a collection of cameo's linked together with a rather tenuous story. But if you want an easy going watch and listen for an hour or so of an evening or afternoon then this is great. Very undemanding, quit amusing aimed at an older audience. Lightweight fun. And EVEN I enjoyed it. I think some reviewers were expecting (Agatha Christy style murders) + a few car chases or something a bit more racy and were disappointed.

Brilliant. Great actors and such a poignant story, but told with touches of very British humour. The kind of thing that demarcates our home-produced films from Hollywood films. Reality at the heart of it even though some aspects might be exaggerated for the sake of art! This story is so sympathetically told. Did the author visit residential homes for older folk while writing it? The essence of the humour, the dignity, sometimes the despair, the failing self-confidence, the petty carping but the underlying support for one another, reflects something of the stoic, never-give-in attitude of people of this generation, and some of the characters reminded me of my parents - now departed, but never forgotten - particularly as my father was a musician. And playing music keeps the mind very sharp (until a stroke ruins everything - real life, not talking about the movie). This film brought both laughter and tears. It had me fully engaged from beginning to end. The acting is superb. The director seems to have aimed for under-statement of the tragic bits, which might otherwise have been awkward, but has brought out the very credible personalities of the characters with tremendous insight and success. Well done to writers, director, actors, photographers and everyone involved in the making of this film. I think it's a great credit to all who were involved in it.

There's a great deal to love and admire about the film Quartet (directed by Dustin Hoffman - with beauty, insight, and style). The music throughout is majorly uplifting, and the lead actors give fine and engaging performances. The actors in the smaller parts are also great - and very well cast. Ronald Harwood has skilfully written a touching story with an array of interesting characters - how they are by themselves, how they interact with each other, how they deal with personal struggles or upset. Also how they give support, and learn. His story and script are very enjoyable; sometimes funny and sometimes emotional, and although light-hearted he also captures a depth. Very big highlights are the performances given by the well-known singers and musicians who are also part of the story. And then on top of the lovely classical (and a tiny bit of Music Hall!) music, the theme music by Dario Marianelli and the London Session Musicians is perfect. Many good things have come together here to make a film that is a little bit of a gem - a pure, elevating, delight kind of a gem.

Quartet is a wonderful film. The leading actors and actresses are excellent and so are the supporting cast, who are all retired professional musicians like their characters. something I didn't know until the end of the film when I saw it the first time in my local cinema. The setting is lovely and so is the music provided you like Verdi. It probably wouldn't appeal to anyone who doesn't like Verdi's music as a lot of the action centres round it as it's his bicentenary. The only thing that spoilt this DVD for me was that there are a lot of trailers for other films and even an advert for Maltesers before the film! I put up with trailers and adverts in the cinema but I think when you buy a DVD of a film you should just get the film.

Of the 1,776 reviews stated as posted on the UK site at the time of writing it is apparent that the majority of the 1 & 2 star ratings (5%) originate mainly from 2013/14. Many appear to have purchased ‘Quartet’ on the strength of the casting of Dame Maggie Smith and her previous role in ‘Marigold Hotel’. Small wonder that they were - shall we say - ‘disappointed’. Her versatility in portraying two very similar, yet also very different characters seems to have proved slighty divisive initially. Though ‘Quartet’ may at first glance be considered a ‘niche’ subject attractive only to classical music and opera fans, this would be to totally miss the point. The real story concerns the very human condition of aging which will come to most readers and viewers. The musical aspect is simply a vehicle to portray the process and it’s effects, how it can be a positive force for the individuals concerned and for those younger people around them - families, children, grandchildren, and indeed their own peer group, friends and colleagues etc. Think of ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ or ‘The Bucket List’ or ‘Waiting for God’ for example. I admit the title gave away the premise to me immediately before reading anything about it - I being a classical music and opera fan. I was intrigued of course by the casting of such diverse actors and actresses. Yet that is exactly what you would expect to find in such a retirement home......diversity. Is it so unimaginable to see Billy Connolly cast as ‘Rigoletto’, Maggie Smith as ‘Gilda’, Tom Courtenay as the ‘Duke of Mantova’ and Pauline Collins as ‘Maddalena’? I say not - just use a little imagination and accept the story for what it is - a human story. We were never going to see them mime out the famous and fabulous Act 3 Quartet ‘Bella figlia dell’amore’, that would have been utterly incongruous and absurd. I was though, totally looking forward to how Dustin Hoffman would therefore treat what was always going to be the climax - and always of course his main problem and concern - how it would resolve. This fictional quartet could not suddenly transform into Sherrill Milnes, Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti and Huguette Tourangeau respectively (as used in the OST from the 1985 Decca recording - not my own personal favourite offering). Let us just accept that Hoffman found a way to make a triumphant coda. It is after all I repeat, part fantasy in interpretation. It is a film and it is an entertainment. The acting performances, I felt, were in total keeping with the simple story line. There was no incongruity. I even accept the use of the ‘f’ word as a real indication of anger and frustration experienced by the characters played by David Ryall, Billy Connolly and Dame Maggie. Ageing does bring anger and frustration - as brilliantly portrayed in ‘The Rebel’ by Simon Callow. For me, Pauline Collins stole the show. Her interpretation of the onset of Dementia was both moving and humbling. Given the statistical prevalence and widespread mounting concern for that very affliction, it may be seen as a most apposite - and certainly not subliminal reminder - if any were needed. I always look forward to seeing Michael Gambon, terrifically in character and utterly believable; also Sheridan Smith so versatile and pleasing on the eye - as Cissy (Pauline Collins) deliciously indicated from her bed! Trevor Peacock (The Vicar of Dibley) was a bit of a surprise but I was interested to learn about his earlier connections with songwriting as highlighted in Dustin Hoffman’s commentary which just has to be listened to - I suggest after watching the feature. It was also pleasing to note that repeated reference was made to Daniel Schmid’s 90 minute documentary ‘Tosca’s Kiss’ (1984, re-issued in 2000), which was the germinal seed for the original play and screenplay by Ronald Harwood. I did read one review that chided the fact that this had not been credited. Perhaps I have hopefully provided some redress here. Schmid’s filming took place in the Casa di Riposa in Milan, a place as the name suggests of rest and repose, bequeathed by Verdi in 1896, less than 4 years before his death on 27 January 1901 aged 87. It is said that 28,000 people lined the streets for his funeral, other accounts give much higher figures. However many - they all sang ‘Va, pensiero’ (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco, which since earliest days had been a nationalist anthem. If you want more of the music - perhaps especially the complete version of the opening ‘Brindisi’ (or Drinking Song) from Act 1 of ‘La Traviata’ then buy the OST. Sadly the end ‘gala’ concert of the film only gives us around 30 seconds of this glorious Verdian chorus - a real ‘lollipop’! A point of interest: The gala is said to take place on Verdi’s birthday. That effectively gives the organisers a choice of date - either 9th or 10th October (1813) - as related in ‘Grove’. At least the autumnal falling leaves indicate a thorough research process. For the really bargain price that I paid including P&P, this movie and all its’ featurettes gave over 3 hours of solid entertainment. Money well spent in my view, especially considering that it is a repeatable experience as it will become timeless. Hope this is helpful, at least to some.

I was truly disappointed with this film, as despite the enticement of a great cast and a simple set-up, it failed to deliver. It was tedious and disjointed, so much so that it was more a homage to an aging generation of performers than a film.

Bislang kannte man Dustin Hoffmann nur als einen großartigen Schauspieler. Doch jetzt hat er die Seiten gewechselt und führte zum ersten Mal Regie. Um es vorwegzunehmen, QUARTETT ist ein gelungenes Regiedebut. Dazu tragen aber auch die Schauspieler bei, die einen Heidenspaß gehabt haben mussten, unter seiner Regie zu arbeiten. Und dieser Spaß überträgt sich sofort auf den Zuschauer. Das Beecham House ist ein Altersheim für Musiker. Hier verbringen die ehemaligen Opernsänger Reggie (Tom Courtenay), Wilfred (Billy Connolly) und Cecil (Pauline Collins) ihren Lebensabend. Es laufen gerade die Vorbereitungen für das alljährliche Konzert zu Ehren von Guiseppe Verdi’s Geburtstag auf Hochtouren. Alle sind voller Vorfreude und fiebern dem großen Tag entgegen. Doch dann zieht Jean (Maggie Smith) in dieses Haus ein. Sie ist nicht nur eine gefeierte Opernsängerin, auch eine Diva, die kurze Zeit mit Reggie verheiratet war, wodurch ihre Ankunft nicht bei allen Begeisterung auslöst, zumal sie auch schnell erklärt, dass sie kein Interesse hat, an dem Konzert teilzunehmen. Doch nur mit ihr kann das Konzert ein Erfolg werden, vor allem ein finanzieller. Denn das Haus benötigt dringend Geld, ansonsten wird es schließen müssen. Und der Vorverkauf verläuft bislang schleppend. Dass die Opern von Guiseppe Verdi eine zentrale Rolle in QUARTETT spielt, hört man sofort. Egal welcher Aufenthaltsraum betreten wird, es wird musiziert, über ein schlecht gestimmtes Klavier gemeckert oder gejammert, weil man im Alter die hohen Töne nicht mehr erreicht. Doch Dustin Hoffmann weiß, dass die Jugend ihren eigenen Musikgeschmack hat. So gibt es einen netten Vergleich zwischen Oper und Hip-Hop, bei dem Reggie einer Schulklasse die Schönheit der Oper erklärt, und ein Schüler genial kontert. Absolut klasse! Nicht nur die Musik beschäftigt die ältere Generation. Man vertreibt sich auch die Zeit mit Spaziergängen im großen Park des Anwesens, mogelt und zankt sich beim Croquet spielen oder sitzt gemütlich beisammen, plant das anstehende Konzert und versucht Jean zu überreden, doch aufzutreten. Die Seniorinnen und Senioren wissen schon ihren Lebensabend zu genießen. Vor allem Wilfred, der immer noch ein Schürzenjäger sein möchte, und die vergessliche Cecil sprühen vor Lebensfreude, während Reggie ernster ist und Jean jedem ihre Hochnäsigkeit („Ich hatte nie weniger als 12 Vorhänge!“) spüren lässt. Gleich zu Beginn wird der Zuschauer mit einem unglaublich trockenen und bissigen Humor konfrontiert, wie er besser nicht sein kann. QUARTETT ist von der ersten Sekunde an eine wundervolle Komödie. Sie profitiert von den Schauspielerfahrungen aller Beteiligten, allen voran natürlich Dustin Hoffmann als Regisseur. Er weiß, wie die Charaktere sich zu verhalten haben und „zwingt“ seine Protagonisten zu Höchstleistungen. Als Ergebnis sieht der Zuschauer einen kurzweiligen und sehr unterhaltsamen Film, dessen Geschichte von den Schauspielern bestens erzählt wird. Man muss kein Opern Fan sein, um an diesem Film seine helle Freude zu haben. Dustin Hoffmann hat die Musik dezent eingebaut, so dass der Film damit nicht überlastet ist. Gerne empfehle ich diesen Film für Jung und Alt. Doch man muss schon etwas für richtig trockenen und bissigen Humor übrig haben, sonst wirkt er nicht.

It's hard to go wrong with a cast of the likes of Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins, Billy Connolly and Michael Gambon with direction by Dustin Hoffman. The setting is an elegant retirement home in England for former opera singers and musicians. Sparks start to fly when former opera diva Jean Horton (Maggie Smith) takes up residence and upsets the cozy environment which includes her former lover and husband Reggie (Tom Courtenay). Old rivalries, jealousies, hurt egos clash as an attempt is made to convince Smith to join her former opera companions in a gala that might well save the residence from its financial woes. To describe this film as merely warm, tender and charming is to do disservice to the wit, musical talent and pathos that are part and parcel of this very human drama. While definitely not just for music lovers there are fabulous moments when we see many incredible icons like Dame Gwyneth Jones show they can still strut their stuff. The story was inspired by a real retirement home in Milan founded by Giuseppi Verdi. Very highly recommended.

Tous les acteurs sont formidables autant dans les scènes émouvantes que comiques. Et en plus, tous les acteurs-chanteurs-musiciens interprètent leur propre rôle d'artistes de haut niveau. Surtout ne passez pas outre la fin des crédits en fin de film pour les voir : de quoi nous faire regretter de ne pas être soit même artiste de haut niveau. Un vrai régal sur le sujet de l'arrivée du 3ème voir 4ème âge ( pour ceux qui ne peuvent plus vivre chez eux) et dont le talent encore très grand dans leurs domaines artistiques n'intéressent plus que peu de monde; cela leur donne un sentiment de ne plus être reconnus et d'être oubliés du monde extérieur contre lequel ils combattent avec tous les moyens à leur disposition. Tout cela avec... humour (oh so british !) et poésie.

magnifique film. Maggie Smith est extraordinaire une fois de plus