TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Orla Zuniga It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Lachlan Coulson This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

paulclaassen Quite delightful, actually. A terrific cast makes the movie that much more enjoyable, especially Billy Connolly and Maggie Smith. What a fantastic blend of comedy and drama. It was simply charming and I loved the ending!

FilmBuff1994 Quartet is a mediocre movie with a storyline that never really goes anywhere, although it does has a star studded, as well as talented cast. There are certainly aspects to the movie I enjoyed, the music is beautiful and for Dustin Hoffman, without a doubt one of my favourite actors in Hollywood, it is impressive as a directorial debut and his style is conveyed very well. There is also great chemistry between the cast members, whether or not they were friends before filming, the interactions between them feels very natural. My biggest issue with the film is that it never really goes anywhere, it's 100 minutes long and by the end the characters never really grow or mature in a way that you would have hoped, the only thing that is resolved is their singing voices. Though the performances and chemistry between the actors is great, the characters are unlikeable, the majority are pompous and full of their own importance, and they never change, we can never relate to them, and because of that it is hard to support them in any way throughout. Though it may appeal to people who have a bigger love for old fashioned British comedy, I found Quartet to be too much of a drama to be a comedy, but also too much of a comedy to be a drama, and I wouldn't recommend it. An opera star arrives at a performers retirement home amidst preparations for a concert. Best Performance: Billy Connolly

sergepesic If you ever desire to see age as a fact of life, not as shameful mishap, you'll have to turn to British. Something weird happened to the American culture. People never lived longer, but they were never more invisible as they get older. Faces pulled so tight that they resemble Halloween mask, moronic slogans about 60's being new 40's, and elderly shoved out of the way all around. Except, of course the elderly that never upset anybody about realities of aging. And here comes this gentle, predictable, but nevertheless deeply touching light comedy about getting to terms with the inevitable. A lively group of marvelous actors, some magnificent classical music, beautiful manor. Nothing too original, but still such pleasure. And now we can go back to being terrified of the thing we can't possibly avoid, aging. And we wonder at the state of the world.

politic1983 This probably isn't a film that I would typically go and see – it's not really aimed at me. I, therefore, decided to watch it in Brixton to add some credibility. Essentially, a cast of British ageing British stars have been brought together to be told what to do by an ageing American star in Dustin Hoffman. Cue hilariousness with jokes about being old.That's probably a bit harsh, with this more a piece about fear of losing gifts when growing old, a bit like being part of QPR's squad. Identified at the end for their talents, much of the wider cast are stars of the stage from yesteryear showcasing their talents in a retirement home for elderly musicians.The titular quartet are star opera singers famed for their foursome that have grown apart by failed marriage and senility. With the fourth member finally being old enough to make residence, the four are reunited and everyone suggests that they should perform at the 'big show' which obviously isn't anywhere near as big as what they would have done in the past. Overcoming their past differences and fears, the four take the stage to have the film end before we realise that Billy Connolly isn't actually a master opera performer after all.The addition of Billy Connolly is a wise one, however, as the film is just a bit too twee without him. The film is not particularly long, but seems to drag on a bit, possibly due to the lack of any real event and not too much depth into each of the characters. Connolly provides the comic relief which is welcome, but other than that it's just a bit too nice. Even the resident doctor, played a bit too emotionally by Sheridan Smith, is nice, with not an abusive word nor demeaning act forced upon the olds. Where's the fun, or reality, in that?politic1983.blogspot.com