Quartet (2012 film)
- Maggie Smith: Jean Horton
- Tom Courtenay: Reginald " Reg" Paget
- Billy Connolly: Wilfred " Wilf " Bond
- Pauline Collins: Cecily " Cissy " Robson
- Michael Gambon: Cedric Livingstone
- Sheridan Smith: Dr. Lucy Cogan
- Andrew Sachs: Bobby Swanson
- Dame Gwyneth Jones: Ann Langley
- Trevor Peacock: George
Quartet ( Original title: Quartet ) is a British film from 2012 in which the actor Dustin Hoffman for the first time directed. What is described, based on a play by Ronald Harwood, the history of old musicians who save their retirement home by a gala from financial ruin. The film was shown in German cinemas on 24 January 2013.
Action
Cissy, Reg and Wilf are retired opera singers who live in Beecham House, a private nursing home for professional musicians. The home is located in a very spacious English country house with wide, well-kept garden, originally built as the seat of a noble family. Every year, the residents of the birth of Giuseppe Verdi with a public benefit gala. Shortly before such gala ( this time it is especially important because without the income of the continued existence of the home would be very uncertain) pulls Jean Horton, once a celebrated opera star, in the home. Her former husband Reg knew nothing about it and is shocked that he is confronted once again with this failed relationship.
The four who once sang the quartet from Act 3 of Rigoletto at the Opera, a great moment in music, which is preserved on recordings. When the plan comes up, that the four should appear together at the gala with this Verdi work, because this would attract additional visitors, Jean initially rejected on principle. Only when you suggest, if they do not sang, her former rival Ann Langley would reap the applause, they can be swayed. Until the Gala, there are still some incident and disputing, old rivalries with theatrical temperament are discharged. Until recently, it is not clear whether the appearance of the quartet will actually take place.
Reviews
" Dustin Hoffman lets the actors much room for development and peaceful oasis tells a comedic story that maintains pleasant, but it hinweghuscht too superficial about all points of conflict and problems of old age. "
Details
The recordings took place in autumn 2011 in Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire. The film was shown in September 2012 at a film festival in Toronto for the first time and was seen since January 1, 2013 in the UK and since January 11, 2013 in the U.S..
The film portrays sensitively individually quirky seniors this age seat and weaves cleverly and humorously the aspects of aging (non- old - feel, forgetfulness, mental and physical disability, death) into the action a. As a " red thread " of the film shown music ( music, Schallplattenabspielung, singing, music lessons) running through it, the residents - so besides produce in everyday life and in preparation for the gala - as a former singer and musician.