Dustin Hoffmans debut director film: QUARTET (1h35mins)

On Friday 29^th at 4pm: Dustin Hoffmans debut director film: QUARTET (1h35mins) starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins and Michael Gambon.

The residents of Beecham House, a home for retired professional musicians, have just started rehearsals for their annual gala performance honouring the birth of Composer Giuseppe Verdi. This gala is more important than other years as the home may close due to lack of funds if they cannot raise enough money. Despite all being from a music background, the residents are diverse group, with some divas and divos amongst the bunch. Whereas, still randy Wilf Bond laments aging while he continually hits on the home’s chief physician Dr. Lucy Cogan, his best friend Reggie Paget embraces his aging and is enjoying living out his final years at Beecham House. That enjoyment is threatened with the arrival of a new resident, Jean Horton, arguably the most famous of all of the residents and Reggie’s ex-performing partner and ex-wife, who he has not seen in 15 years. Their divorce was not an amicable one, and was largely because of her infidelity. The gala’s organizer, Cedric Livingston, believes that Beecham House’s current financial problems would all be solved if Jean, Reggie, Wilf, and fellow resident Cissy Robson would perform “Bella figlia dell’amore” from “Rigoletto” at the gala, they arguably having had recorded the most renowned version of the song. There are many obstacles to overcome in getting them to perform the song together. First, Reggie has to forgive Jean, who has long wanted to reconcile with him personally. Second, Jean has vowed never to sing again since her retirement, fearing humiliation in no longer singing as she did in her prime. And third, Cissy suffers from the early stages of dementia, which may worsen to the point of no longer knowing what is going on.

“Strong, subtle, moving – just beautiful

It isn’t often one can say “I loved every moment”, but for this film it’s true! Never for an instant does Dustin Hoffman stray into overwrought drama, mawkishness or bathos: his direction is restrained and subtle, there is humour a-plenty, yet the film packs a powerful emotional punch. And with a cast like that, how could he lose? And that’s not just the stars, although they create wonderfully satisfying characters: the “minor” characters are also perfectly realised. Plus, the settings!!!! I felt like rushing off to make a booking at Beecham’s for my old age! With such a great ensemble cast we are well-served, though for me, Pauline Collins was a stand-out – funny and so touching. I think I’d like to see it again.” IMDb reviewer