Quartet

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Quartet

PG-13

Released Jan 11, 2013

1h 39m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

80%

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143 Reviews

66%

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10,000+ Ratings

Once-popular opera diva Jean Horton (Maggie Smith) creates a stir with her arrival at Beecham House, a home for retired performers. No one feels the uproar more than Reginald (Tom Courtenay), Jean's ex-husband, who still stings from her long-ago infidelity. Most of the other Beecham residents are delighted, and try to convince Jean to join them in a performance of "Rigoletto." Jean, however, knows that she is long past her prime and is reluctant to sully the memory of her once-lovely voice.

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Critics Consensus

It's sweet, gentle, and predictable to a fault, but Dustin Hoffman's affectionate direction and the talented cast's amiable charm make Quartet too difficult to resist.

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Francesca Steele

Independent (UK)

Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut is the latest example of a recent Hollywood effort to cater more to an older audience.

Aug 11, 2017

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Jonathan Robbins

Film Comment Magazine

If this film is any indication of {Hoffman] creative capacity as a director, one can only hope that he will pursue his third act with as much vigor as his first.

Dec 22, 2013

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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

As portraits of old age go, Quartet is better than that other recent retirement comedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, but only in the way a touch of lumbago is better than shingles.

Rated: 1/5

Dec 22, 2013

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Kip Mooney

College Movie Review

Movies don't get much lighter or enjoyable than Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut.

Rated: 76/100

Sep 18, 2021

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Hoffman's disciplined directorial approach gives room for these actors to breathe and bring these characters and this story to life.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 20, 2020

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

The film is not really confronting, in other words, what it half-wants and half-knows it ought to be confronting...

Aug 13, 2020

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Deborah Fain

ROTTEN!!!! Hated it. Hated every character. No idea why MI wanted to film that awful story. But now have seen it and my great love Alan Bates.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/24

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Imelda P

Brimming with some of the finest actors in British film on top form. Funny at times, poignant at others, always engaging and entertaining. Yes it’s about facing growing old, so it might be a hard sell to a younger audience seeking a car-chase or two, but Dustin Hoffman has shown, with some style, how love and friendship really do conquer all, even when you’re old and knackered. Maggie Smith is a triumph of course, Tom Courtney and Billy Connelly quality as always. Special mention to Pauline Collins’ sensitive and convincing portrayal of onset dementia. The setting is sumptuous and the soundtrack glorious. It will certainly give you some tunes to sing in the shower.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

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Jessica M

While watching the movie you can just tell that most of the actors/singers were real musicians. The dynamic between Wilfred and Reggie and Sissy is just adorable and also funny. Then the movie ends on such a happy note.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/25/23

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Harry H

I call movies like these "small gems". A great cast and warm visuals, it's a story about aging musicians and opera singers living in an adult home. Not only does the movie deal with music, it deals with the frustrations of the aging along with love, compassion and a wry humor.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/21/23

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colin m

Movie set in a old people's home for musical types. Needed something more. ["Most movies, even the good ones, are based upon the extraordinary incident and the exceptional character." ~ Paddy Chayefsky.]

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Mark A

A vibrant, fast paced look at seniors with great acting.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/20/22

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Dustin Hoffman

Director

Maggie Smith

Jean Horton

Tom Courtenay

Reggie Paget

Billy Connolly

Wilf Bond

Pauline Collins

Cissy Robson

Michael Gambon

Cedric Livingston

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Synopsis

Once-popular opera diva Jean Horton (Maggie Smith) creates a stir with her arrival at Beecham House, a home for retired performers. No one feels the uproar more than Reginald (Tom Courtenay), Jean's ex-husband, who still stings from her long-ago infidelity. Most of the other Beecham residents are delighted, and try to convince Jean to join them in a performance of "Rigoletto." Jean, however, knows that she is long past her prime and is reluctant to sully the memory of her once-lovely voice.

Director: Dustin Hoffman
Producer: Finola Dwyer, Stewart Mackinnon
Screenwriter: Ronald Harwood
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Headline Pictures, Finola Dwyer Prods.
Rating: PG-13 (Suggestive Humor|Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.4M
Runtime: 1h 39m

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