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Created May 13, 2013 11:06PM PST • Edited Jul 31, 2013 12:49PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Senior citizen cinema is experiencing somewhat of a boomlet now. Quartet typifies the trend, spinning a gently comedic story about old flames who reunite in a retirement home for musicians and opera singers. It’s a pleasant enough movie, albeit too formulaic to be really interesting.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Maggie Smith and Billy Connolly shine brightest amongst the quartet who form the core of the cast. No surprise, given how charismatic each is. Tom Courtenay and Pauline Collins make up the other two.

   Michael Gambon and Sheridan Smith also jump off the screen, he as an elderly impresario who still demands that all toe his line, she as an attractive administrator.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    Dustin Hoffman is the rookie director of Quartet. Yes, that Dustin Hoffman. Interesting choice, as the movie is so very British, while Hoffman appears to be the only American associated with it. BTW, don’t look for him in front of the camera. No Hitchcockian cameo for this director.

    While Hoffman’s direction and the script are both just OK, the film had the potential of being special in its music. Alas it’s not, proving to be more a tease than a tasting of great music.

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play OK 2.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.3

17. Sex Innocent 1.5

18. Violence Gentle 1.0

19. Rudeness Polite 1.5

21. Reality

    Glib 1.2

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.6

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0