In Review: "Quartet"

I have been whining and complaining for months about seeing this film. The British make some of the best films ever, with the best actors, the best scripts, and the most original stories. You know it's true. Don't deny it. Most of your favorite actors are British. Your favorite TV shows are British. The party is happenin' across the pond, my friends, and we all know it. Even us silly Americans know the amazing work that they do over there.

This film is no different. Its players are geniuses: Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins, and of course, Michael Gambon aka Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (robes, funny hats, and all). Its leader, though it is his first at-bat in this profession is a natural- Dustin Hoffman. (Yep! This was Dustin Hoffman's first time directing! Yay Hoffman!) Its script is brilliantly funny, sweet, and heartfelt, by Ronald Harwood. Harwood wrote the screenplay for The Pianist so what do you expect, but greatness.

Think the old people scenes of Cloud Atlas (I swear they filmed them in the same location), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, plus opera. Yes, opera, classical, and a dash of show tunes. This retirement home is not for those who wish to rest in peace and quiet (no pun intended), but for the great stars of the opera houses, orchestras, symphonies, and theatres. Bach and Beethoven pouring from every inch of this grand building. In comes Maggie Smith, a used-to-be opera star, now a self-conscious and bitter old woman from a life of heartache. She must learn to overcome her fear of failure in song and in love.

The lesson of this film is you don't stop living until you are dead. And that is just what these residents do. They curse, they flirt, they try to get lucky (Connolly especially), they live their lives to the fullest while they still can. In this way, they make us laugh and tear up from their passion for life and love.

The pace is just a little slow and the film leads up to the big concert where we will hear the quartet sing for the first time in many years. And then... they don't sing. These actors are not really operatic singers so why would we expect them to? Because that's the whole premise of the movie! No, I don't want them to lip-synch. That is not the British way. We hear clips of the past performances of the group throughout the whole movie, and that is somewhat satisfying, but not enough for this classic music lover. I knew they were supposed to sound wonderful, but I wanted to have it confirmed with my own ears.

My friend and I were probably the youngest people in the tiny independent film theatre, and that saddens me. This is not a film for those waiting for their lives to close. This is for those who still want to live life to the fullest. Our young people need to learn from their elders- this is the film that can teach them.

Whether your age, your nationality, or your musical preference, I think this film has something for everyone. Here is a little trailer to inspire you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSEnh8Hi62E

3 out of 4 Opera STARS!