the leading man is my tpye

Just perfect...

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

"Quartet" is a good British comedy with a cast of some of the great British actors of the last half of the 20th century. The film is based on a play and was the first credited directing job for Dustin Hoffman. The story has wonderful potential, but somehow the movie seems to miss the second gear that would give it some oomph. Among the cast are some wonderful British actors that movie buffs have enjoyed for decades. They've played in comedy, drama, mysteries and romantic histories and biographies. Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Michael Gambon and Andrew Sachs head the cast. The plot isn't original – a retirement home for actors, artists and musicians. The ensemble comes together to stage a production when one of the last reigning stars from a big hit joins the community. Smith's Jean Horton comments, when she sees how the people get along, "It's not a retirement home. It's a mad house."It's an enjoyable film, mostly for those who appreciate some of the performers and films of the past. The language is a little crass and off color at times. Modern audiences may not find it slow and not very funny.

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

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

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.