Quartet (12A)

Film

Comedy

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Time Out says

Tue Dec 18 2012

If the point-blank treatment of old age and mortality in this year’s French arthouse hit ‘Amour’ makes you nervous, here’s the cuddly British version – with songs. ‘Quartet’ has been adapted by screenwriter Ronald Harwood (‘The Pianist’) from his own 1999 play, and essentially it’s a country-house, putting-on-a-play drama. Only the house is a care home for retired actors and singers, and the stumbling blocks to first-night glory are the side-effects of ageing. The gentle conundrum is whether four residents of Beecham House – Jean (Maggie Smith, pictured left), Wilf (Billy Connolly), Cissy (Pauline Collins, pictured right) and Reggie (Tom Courtenay) – will overcome their problems to perform the quartet from Verdi’s ‘Rigoletto’ at a benefit gig for their home. It’s a light, fruity film – complete with Michael Gambon flitting around in a silk dressing gown and fez. Dustin Hoffman, directing for the first time, draws endearing performances from his cast, and a host of supporting actors played by singers and musicians grounds its more farcical and rarefied elements in white-haired reality.

Author: Dave Calhoun

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Release details

Rated:

12A

UK release:

Fri Jan 4

Duration:

98 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Dustin Hoffman

Cast:

Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Michael Gambon

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Comments & ratings

(46 ratings)

'Quartet' = Schmaltz / Mills & Boon for the ancients , [of which I am one ]

Alan J Mon Feb 11
Rated as: 1/5
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Yes, I wanted to walked out too and leave the Darby & Joan audience to their big bight out of the year. Big UK names on the screen let down by a small made for tv like story and delivery.Very bored and underwhelmed apart from the Taplow setting.

Paul Sun Jan 27
Rated as: 1/5
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Sorry I didnt like this film. I wanted to. I was hoping it had a original, perhaps comic, take on old age but it didnt . Yes, lots of staring into the distance. Acting was fine but script poor and too slow.

Sheila Fri Jan 25
Rated as: 1/5
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Years 1st walk out (45min)

scrumpyjack Fri Jan 25
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I was really looking forward to this film but I'm afraid it did nothing for me. I drifted off to sleep at one point - I've not done that before. I just hope I didn't snore, I've no doubt that some of the audience enjoyed the film.

John J Wed Jan 16
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I was really looking forward to this film but it just wasn't for me. Very average, boring in fact. Perhaps the first time I've drifted off to sleep in a cinema. I hope I didn't snore - I'm sure some of the audience enjoyed it and hate to think I may have spoiled their enjoyment.

John J Wed Jan 16
Rated as: 1/5
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After posting my review, started to read others. I'm pretty appalled by comments about reviewers who dissent. We are all entitled to our opinions. Just because I didn't like it but YOU did, doesn't make me an idiot/made of concrete/hard-hearted etc as other people have posted. Just because YOU liked it, I wouldn't call you names.

Genie Wed Jan 16
Rated as: 2/5
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After posting my review, started to read others. I'm pretty appalled by comments about reviewers who dissent. We are all entitled to our opinions. Just because I didn't like it but YOU did, doesn't make me an idiot/made of concrete/hard-hearted etc as other people have posted. Just because YOU liked it, I wouldn't call you names.

Genie Wed Jan 16
Rated as: 2/5
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Saw it this afternoon. Ac tually fell asleep a few times. Like someone else, the best bit were the credits which featured the real-life musicians/actors. This film could have been so much more, but it was just pedestrian. I'm going into that age group - but the harping on about age and the dreary plot just grated. There was also an awful lot of staring into the distance/each other's eyes.... tedious.

Genie Wed Jan 16
Rated as: 2/5
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Disappointed in this film. To me it was like an end of term play put on by 6th formers. Very amateurish. Best part was the credits, showing what the actors had done in their early careers. this one will be shown on BBC within 6 months.

Carina Mon Jan 14
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