Any movie with Maggie Smith is an attractive one, and in Quartet, she is a star. I just wish that the film had a little more oomph and a little more magic.
I would argue that there aren’t enough movies that focus on older people living their lives. You get many stories where grandma is a peripheral character or grandpa acts real silly, but you don’t see them exist as their full selves. The selves that they are as they transition between who they have always known themselves to be and the next phase, where everything becomes a bit more challenging, but they aren’t suddenly different people.
Quartet is a film about a retirement home for professionals in the classical music industry. Opera singers, pianists, and conductors all come together here, where they can continue to practice their craft with industry friends/names while also getting the care that they may need.
When a famous opera singer moves into the building, things are shaken up, as her ex-husband has been living there full-time for years. Additionally, all of the residents are putting together a celebration in which everyone is asked (expected) to perform. This isn’t as easy for some as it is for others.
This film is entertaining, but slow. Very little happens and there isn’t a whole lot to connect to emotionally. That said, I’m never going to complain about watching Maggie Smith for a few hours, because that would just be blasphemy. Additionally, Billy Connolly has a spark in his eyes that is electric and Michael Gambon’s voice is one of those unique treasures that never gets old (you know you love to hear Dumbledore speak!).
Bette Davis is quoted as saying, “Old age is not for sissies” and it’s a line that is mentioned in this film. In Quartet, they go through challenges, both physical and mental, and clinging to the past, but trying to live in the present is a real obstacle.
One big disappointment for me – and I recognize that it’s a little silly because Maggie Smith is not a trained operatic soprano (or so I’m aware) – is that I spent the entire movie waiting to watch how they would have her perform, if they did. Without revealing any spoilers, I did not find the payoff for that satisfying, but maybe that was just a “me” issue. I’m not sure what they could have done different.
The best part of the film is the credits, so don’t skip them. It highlights photos of the performers, singers, and musicians all staying in this fictional retirement home and acting in this movie during their real-life professional years and productions. It was incredibly cool to see and I’m really grateful that they gifted the audience with this extra information.
Just because you age doesn’t mean that you aren’t somebody, haven’t lived a full life, and that there isn’t more life to live. That is the message of the movie, and a good one for all of us to remember.
Runtime: 98 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG-13
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes, it brings up some interesting topics
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 3.25/5 Stars
Available: To rent on Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
I would argue that there aren’t enough movies that focus on older people living their lives. You get many stories where grandma is a peripheral character or grandpa acts real silly, but you don’t see them exist as their full selves. The selves that they are as they transition between who they have always known themselves to be and the next phase, where everything becomes a bit more challenging, but they aren’t suddenly different people.
