Ok for a bit of background. Quartet is set in an idyllic English country house which poses as a home for retired musicians. The plot such as it is, is following the build up to an annual gala performance by the residents to celebrate Verdi's birthday and raise funds for the running of the home. A large part of the action follows the rehearsals for the show.
So far I've made it sound drier than a temperance bar in the Sahara. It's safe to say the plot is not the film's strongest point; not by a long chalk. Given the fact that the story is about musicians, you would be forgiven for thinking that the soundtrack is where it really shines. But again no. Don't get me wrong, the soundtrack has some magnificent works played beautifully. My big criticism of it would be that it tended to be devoted to popular sound-bites which is all well and good but, to my mind, a wee bit unsatisfying.
What really made it was the casting. It was truly tremendous. Given it was a film about retired musicians, I was pleased to see a number of actual musicians in the cast who have had distinguished careers in outfits like the Royal Opera House or the BBC symphony orchestra. Michael Gambon gave a wonderful performance as the temperamental and histrionic producer of the whole show, the "Artiste" if you will.
However there were two performances that shone out like beacons from all the rest. First up was Dame Maggie Smith. Admittedly she played a slightly fluffier version of her Downtun Abbey character; plenty wry and barbed comments all round, but she did it wonderfully and had a truly brilliant stage presence.
However to my mind there was one star of the show. Despite the fact that the collective awards and accolades achieved by the cast could fill a museum, the one true star was Billy Connelly. He absolutely stole the show and then some. He was playing for laughs and got them in spades. His character was cheeky, warm, rougish, funny, thoughtful, outrageous and rude. In short, the Big Yin to a 'T'. Well a mildly modified version at least - it was quite a shock seeing his chin for the first time in about 20 years. His antics lifted the whole thing from what could have been a bit maudlin and nostalgic to a bright and fresh film.
Honourable mention should also be given to Sheradin Smith who plays the home's manager.She has come a long way since her days as an ultra-chav in "Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps". She also put in a lovely and warm performance. Credit to her, she held her own amongst many giants of stage and screen proving nicely that she's more than just a bit of eye candy (although she does that rather well too).
Like I said in the title... and the first sentence; go and see it. Take your friends, take your partners, take your parents. This really is one for everyone to enjoy. The ending is a bit on the saccharine side but that was to be expected from the start. I think the entire population of the cinema left walking on air and exuding a warm glow, it was just that kind of film.
JR
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