Quartet

                      It is unclear to me why it is believed that when people reach a certain age they cannot try new things or reinvent themselves.  Where did this theory come from?  All the time people prove it to be incorrect.  Quartet is a prime example of this.  Not only is the cast filled with actors and musicians in their later years, but this is the directorial debut for Dustin Hoffman.  A man whose career began in the 1960’s, Mr. Hoffman has made it clear people can try something new no matter what their age. 

                The residents of a retirement home for musicians are preparing for their annual celebration of Verdi’s birthday.  Each year the residents put on a concert in hopes of raising enough money to keep their home open.  Cedric (Michael Gambon) is the director of the show and he is not happy with the progress of the current performers.  He keeps holding meetings and trying to come up with ideas to get the show back to where he thinks it should be.  Just in time, a new resident moves into the retirement home.  Jean (Maggie Smith) is a famous opera singer.  Her success and talent is so well known that when Jean first arrives the residents give her a standing ovation.

                With Jean now in residence, the idea is soon formed that she should be part of the concert.  Long ago Jean was part of a quartet that received great notoriety.  The other three members, Cissy (Pauline Collins), Wilf (Billy Connolly), and Reg (Tom Courtenay), already live in the retirement home.  On the surface it appears very little effort would be needed to get the quartet back together.  That is not how it works out.

                While Cissy, Wilf, and Reg have been together and gotten along for quite some time, none of them have been around Jean for years.  Also, there is much tension between Jean and Reg as they were once married.  The marriage was short but there are many unresolved feelings.  Then there is Jean’s self-consciousness.  She is concerned about her age and the effect it has had on her voice.  Jean wants to be remembered as she was, not as she is now.  Despite all the issues and concerns, it does not take long for the quartet to come together.  That does not mean things run smoothly to the end.  There are other things they must deal with before they achieve success.             

                A film about people in their later stages of life, it would have been easy for this film to become sad and depressing.  That was not the case at all.  There was a lot of humor, mostly coming from Billy Connolly.  When he was on screen, it was hard to take my eyes off of him.  I never knew what he was going to do.  As funny as he was, I did not want to miss anything. 

Of course situations of health were brought up in the film.  When there was a health issue, it was handled seriously but did not take over.  It was sad to see people hurting, especially Cissy who struggled with her memory.  She often did not remember what she was doing and where she was in her life.  The caring and kindness of the other characters helped bring these moments back to the lighter side without downplaying the seriousness of the situation.                 

                I would not have guessed this film was Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut. Armed with a fantastic cast, Mr. Hoffman showed he knows what he is doing behind the camera. It makes me wonder and look forward to what he is going to do next.