Quartet
Director: Dustin Hoffman
Starring: Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly
***
Dustin Hoffman makes his directorial debut – at the impressive age of 75 – with this very English slice of life, a sweet comedy drama about the residents of a countryside home for retired classical and operatic musicians.
The lecherous Wilf (Billy Connolly), adorable Cissy (Pauline Collins) and pompous Cedric (Michael Gambon) are among those affected when the famous diva Jean (Maggie Smith) arrives as a reluctant new resident, but no one is more upset by her arrival than the soft-spoken Reg (Tom Courtenay), who also happens to be Jean’s first husband.
A gentle tale of old age, love and loss in a very pretty setting (we’re sure most retirement homes aren’t this palatial), Quartet isn’t laugh-out-loud funny but has some lovely moments and performances.