Lack of good storyline.

An unexpected masterpiece

Absolutely the worst movie.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

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

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

Yes, I know it is a bit clichéd and many of these elderly musicians seem to be pretty able for the facility they are in. Yes, there is the old lech, the scatterbrained diva, the intellectual, and so on. Still, when you have such stellar cast of some of the best of British drama, including Maggie Smith and Tom Courtenay, their charm and their chops come forward. The articulation and delivery of lines is wonderful. The plot involves the everyday doings of a home for retired composers, performers, and writers from the world of classical music. The chief conflict involves Smith and Courtenay who were once married but fell into the world of big time performance. She has a history of repeated marriages and affairs, leaving her lovers in the dust. Now, her beauty is gone and she has trouble negotiating stairs. She insists on meals in her room and special treatment. Everything centers around a quartet that she is asked to participate in. She shies away because of her age and the vocal demands. I found this a beautiful, subtle film. I know for some it is slow moving, but that is really joyful in the age of the blockbuster special effects film.

A home for retired musical people serves as the backdrop for this interesting 2012 film.Not letting the infirmities of old age get to them, the residents there stage a show to keep the home going. No, it's not Mickey and Judy at the barn.As retired opera singer, Jean Horton, Maggie Smith delivers a compelling performance. Frustrated by her failed marriages, advancing age and refusal at first to participate in the group,Smith alternates between a calm woman and one prone to outbursts.There is a wonderful supporting performance by Pauline Collins, as a retired diva, prone to dementia.Tom Courtenay as a resident and former husband of Smith is also compelling in the film.Michael Gambon, as the director of the show, wears clothing most appropriate to the Middle Ages.