Quartet

[Ms Thrifty]

There seems to be a trend in the film industry to making films for the silver surfer brigade or older cinema goers.

And about time, too, as far as I'm concerned - huge imbalance to redress!

[RickyRaj]

Saw this at May Fair Hotel. Feel good, predictable film with a good cast and good humour. 8/10 Also enjoyed the pre-screen entertainment.

[funthing29]

A lovely surprise performance by Amore (http://www.amoreofficial.com/) before the screening last night.

A great ensemble cast yet Smith wasn't the standout I was expecting and Gambon seemed to steal the show for me. It is certainly not breaking any boundaries, and it was decent enough but I felt BEMH was superior. The comedy was a bit too tame, IMO. It felt quite long despite a running time of 98 minutes. 6.5/10.

[canadian_turtle]

Loved the performance from Amore beforehand too, it really added just that little bit extra to the screening (though front row maybe wasn't the ideal choice is such a small space - it was VERY loud!).

As for Quartet, I thought the film was just delightful. Don't think it's Gambon who stole the show, though for me it also wasn't Maggie Smith. I thought Pauline Collins (Cissy) was outstanding. Not for having the most comedic scenes per se, but definitely the most heartbreaking ones, just astonishing. Billy Connolly (Wilf) was the one to get the most laughs from me and Tom Courtenay (Reginald) was a wonderful match for Smith's character Jean. Though I do think Maggie Smith was underused (and so was Sheridan Smith!) and it was a bit of a cheat to talk the entire film about how amazing a singer she is (or was) and then never give the audience what they were waiting for. And while I agree it wasn't quite a next BEMH (which I rated 8.5) this is still a solid 8 from me.

Wish there were more films like this out there! They may be aimed at an older audience, but I much prefer them over another action blockbuster or teenage flick filled with crude humour.

[ejwrank]

There seems to be a trend in the film industry to making films for the silver surfer brigade or older cinema goers.

6/10

Have to disagree on this. I doubt that the film industry could give 2 hoots for what the older cinema goer wants. But it does seem that we have a surplus of riches when it comes to older actors (and what a cast this film had) so thank goodness that is not being wasted. I thought the film was charming -- not exceptional but a perfectly good way to spend a couple of hours.

[yogi]

In a good way this was kind of exactly what I expected. It was funny, touching and full of quality music and acting.

There was a nice conversation with Dustin Hoffman on Kermode and Mayo's show talking about the retired musician home in Italy and how in all fields once you get to a certain age the phone just stops ringing even though as shown in the film the talent in many cases is still there.

I'm not sure it's trend yet, but if these silver surfer movies keep making money then they'll keep being made and I'll be first in line for the next one. They may be gentle, but they are given plenty of class and gravitas by the casts they have, a look by Tom Courteney or a cutting aside by Maggie Smith can say so much and is worth the admission price alone (er.. not for people on here though!! But you know what I mean. )

[newdot]

nice & gentle

[biggins]

A bit slow at times and not as humorous as I expected with Billy Connolly in it but a pleasant and easy to watch movie. Not as good as Marigold Hotel. 6/10

[marjoreemarjora]

Have to agree with Biggins here, very busy in Edinburgh despite being a cold night.

Was enjoyable but not up to standard of the Marigold Hotel. Hubby did not think characters believable. thought Billy Connolly tried but part was not good enough for him, and as usual Maggie Smith was very good. not really seen her in a bad film. Remember her as Jean Brodie in her prime in 1969, gosh that was a long time ago!!

7/10 from us

[JMP]

Did anybody see Andrew Marr this morning? Amour were interviewed and sang. I hadn't realised they were the four drenched singers on the barge at the Jubilee celebrations.