By: debbie lynn elias
At age 75, Dustin Hoffman marks his directorial debut in splendor with the emotionally exuberant and fulfilling, QUARTET. A witty, smartly crafted, intelligent, tapestried and textured film, QUARTET features high level production design, meticulous timing and direction, and a formidable cast, including the casting of and performances by legends in the classical arts that is matched by a story that celebrates the richness of their individual real-life careers set against a palette of visual serenity, elegance and grace.
Dr. Lucy Cogan is resident physician at Beecham House, a home for retired musicians and classical artists. As majestic in its own apportionment as the lives of its residents, Beecham House is not only a godsend for these “forgotten” masters but it gives each new life as they re-bond and perform not only for each other, but annual fundraisers that celebrate Verdi’s birthday on October 10, led by the inimitable and flamboyant former opera director Cedric.
But this year heralds Beecham’s new resident, soprano Jean Horton. Once the greatest prima donna of them all, Jean has fallen on hard times. Forced to sell her home, she has nowhere to go except Beecham. Making the move even more unpleasant for Jean is that her lifelong rival Ann Langley, not to mention Jean’s former husband, tenor Reggie Paget, are also in residence. Jean’s once best friend, Cissy, is also at Beecham. A delightful creature with flirtatious girlish traits that bubble to the surface thanks to her bouts of dementia, Cissy is the non-confrontational connective tissue between Jean, Reggie and the last member of the QUARTET, baritone Wilf Bond, the ladies man of Beecham. With rivalries, aging and aching bodies and mature romance at the ready, the question then becomes, will the QUARTET put aside the squabbles of days gone by and join forces for a revival of their legendary performance from “Rigoletto” at the Verdi celebration.
Anyone who wants to see a master class in performance need look no further than QUARTET. Maggie Smith as Jean, Tom Courtenay as Reggie, Pauline Collins as Cissy, Michael Gambon as Cedric and Billy Connolly as Wilf are only the tip of the iceberg. Connolly is particularly enticing with his comedic wit bringing lightness to the air. Breathtaking are the operatic and theartrical performances from renowned artisans of the decades. Dame Gwyneth Jones is a scene stealing Ann Langley opposite Smith’s Jean while chorus singers David Ryall and Trevor Peacock are show-stoppingly joyous performing Flanagan & Allen’s “Underneath the Arches”. Adding a touch of youth to the geriatric mix is Sheridan Smith who, as Dr. Cogan, is the epitome of caring and concern and a shining example of the respect with which we should be treating our elders.
Directed by Dustin Hoffman and written by Ronald Harwood based on his play of the same name, QUARTET is a feast for the senses. Hitting all the right notes, we are treated not only to some brilliant performances such as The Mikado’s “Three Little Maids” or the “Drinking Song” from La Traviata, but rich and delectable one-liners and bon mots sprinkled from start to finish.
As a director, Hoffman has not only a meticulous eye, but an impeccable sense of timing, allowing the camera to softly linger on not only the performers, but the richness of Beecham House and its grounds, allowing us to inhale the visual metaphor of aged elegance with richly polished dark woods, slightly worn but vibrant silk tapestried furniture and walls, delicate roses in the gardens, all courtesy of Andrew McAlpine’s beauteous production design. John de Borman’s cinematography is masterful and carries a softness that allows the vibrancy and vitality of the characters and their performances to take center stage. But where Hoffman truly excels is with a directorial dance of sensitivity and diversity, showcasing each and every performer in this ensemble.
And stay through the credits! Hoffman gloriously provides photos with captions identifying each of the performers in the film in their hey day juxtapositioned with their character in the film.
QUARTET is simply magnifique! Encore! Encore!
Directed by Dustin Hoffman
Written by Ronald Harwood based on Harwood’s play
Cast: Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins, Michael Gambon, Dame Gwyneth Jones, David Ryall, Trevor Peacock
