Quartet

One of the many things we learned at the cinema in 2012 was that the cinema is no longer just for young people. If you make star studded films with older actors then older people will go see them.
I think it might be the fact that the 'baby boomer' generation is reaching retirement age and therefor having more free time, means that more of them are going to the movies. What to do in that retirement is also an issue faced in the films about older people we are seeing at the cinema. It is a scary thing and so many films use humour to lighten the issue. They are usually a very cranky bunch who are always complaining about things. But it is always charming. That is what 'Quartet' is. Very sweet and charming. The plot is not unlike something you would see in any number of teen movies or the TV series 'Glee'. You have a bunch of musicians who are about to put on a show. But you have one person who needs convincing to join the group or it cannot be done. But it is the characters that make the film interesting. These are a charming group of older people who you would not mind spending your time with. As a first time director, Dustin Hoffman has done a very good job. He is not required to do anything technically radical but manages to get excellent performances from his cast and make the film very entertaining.
Dustin has managed to assemble a very top notch cast here. Maggie Smith, when she is not being a Duchess is going to retirement villages. She plays her usual crotchty character here but we all love it so much that you don't mind. Her more mild mannered foil Tom Courtney is utterly delightful. He nicely balances the sweetness with his mild hatred of Maggie Smith's character. It was not until I saw this film that I realized how old Billy Connolly is. He plays a character that does not seem too far off his real self. He is incredibly funny and gets all the films really big laughs. Pauline Collins is by far the best as she plays the ditzy member of the group. She is so sweet and delightful. Michael Gambon is also excellent in his small role.
The themes and issues it brings up will no doubt hit home for some older viewers, but that does not stop it from being an entertaining film. It proves that older people can be just as entertaining as the younger ones.