hyped garbage

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Smith and Connelly, I am familiar, and I'd say they're still at the top of their form. Courtenay and Collins, I've been introduced and is delighted to have seen them here, a film which could be considered a crash course in everything G Verdi. It would be considered downright exploitative to expect these seasoned thespians to actually sing the quartet from Rigoletto. Of course they wouldn't.It's such a joy seeing such passion in people in their sunset years depicted on screen, especialy the one exemplified by Courtenay as he gives that masterclass in classical music to a group of youthful and impressionable audience. One and a half hour is a guaranteed cool soothing breeze watching the four main characters and an ensemble that includes Gambon, Sachs giving effortless charming performances that will put a smile into people's faces, if not laughter.Not a chore watching this film because in real life meeting these sort of people would be considered quite a chore. Thanks for saving us that bother. Of course, just kidding.My rating: B-plus

As a singer I found this film to really clutch at the heart strings. As everyone my age I'm sure wonders what its like to be older but also in my industry an older singer who slowly begins to loose their sparkle with age. I found it very moving and beautifully honest. I felt the casting was sublime and the direction and performances were stunning.

Quartet (2012): Dir: Dustin Hoffman / Cast: Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins, Michael Gambon: Impressive directional debut for Dustin Hoffman with a film that regards a life that works best when shared with others. Plot centres on a nursing home for aged musicians that is threatened with closure if funds aren't raised. Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins are all part of a quartet who learn that their fourth player is a new arrival. This brings tension with memories of a past relationship surface. Maggie Smith is a great as ever as the arriving aged musician who feels her best years are behind her and sees ageing as the loss of her talent. She also must face up and seek forgiveness from Courtenay whose dreams were crushed long ago while they were married. He teaches opera to visiting students but is now faced with his past and the decision to seek Smith for another quartet run to save the home. In supporting roles is Billy Connolly in scene stealing comic disposition hitting on the younger women working there. Pauline Collins brings good cheer in hopes of a successful concert but her memory is slowly descending. Michael Gambon plays another elderly in the ranks who formerly directed these events and agrees to do so once again. The only real complaint may be the fact that so much attention given to Smith's ability to vocally perform and the hype is never realized. Perhaps it is because Smith isn't up to par. Whatever the reason is doesn't prevent Dustin Hoffman from having a successful debut from behind the camera. Score: 9 / 10

This had all the makings of a lovely film, especially the retirement home...when I can I book a place there?...It was great. And it housed a wealth of British acting talent anchored by the directing debut of Dustin Hoffman. All well and good.The trouble with Quartet was its plot was too thin,not allowing for much character development and inter action among the ensemble cast. This would have been more adept at being a made for TV movie. But it was too short and shallow for the cinema.As for the cast, I somehow couldn't picture Maggie Smith as an opera diva. And having Pauline Collins' deeply senile character as part of an operatic quartet to be performed at the home was really stretching it a bit.Yet the film was entertaining,while also being disappointing.