It's always difficult watching actors pretending to play instruments. In this film the main four actors of the quartet almost pull it off. I shall ignore the pathetic attempt of the daughter. I understand that the main four were coached, and so some of the techniques were obviously well rehearsed (although, of course, we don't hear any of the genuine racket that they'd be producing). But I was absolutely amazed that none of the coaches stopped the actors from looking down their instruments and watching what their own fingers were doing. This practice just made them look awkward and childish, it being something a beginner would do in maybe the first few months of learning. After that period, your eyes are only ever on your music (or the conductor as well, if you're in an orchestra). What your fingers are doing is something that your brain is controlling totally sub-consciously. You aren't even aware of it most of the time. This spoiled the whole film for me as they all just looked ridiculous.

It's not easy for Americans to produce credible emotions - as we see them in Europe on screen. This film goes as far in that direction as possible. It's easy to say that any flick with Philip Seymour Hoffman is a good one, and he dominates the screen indeed, but a lot of good acting happens when he isn't there too. Mark Ivanir of Saving Private Ryan fame plays a very intense Daniel and a young Imogen Poots presents a credible Alexandra.Indeed it isn't so much about music, it is about a small team of people working very intensely together, who face a major crisis and about suppressed emotions coming out because of that. The plot moves rather slowly for you to enjoy elaborate scenes some may find a bit tedious at times. Quite enjoyable for a late night viewing with a glass of wine on a quiet evening.

String quartet that successfully plays for 25 years hits a snag, when their leader gets diagnosed with the Parkinson's disease. In their small, contained world that is tantamount to nuclear explosion. Quartet deeply depends on its member uncanny closeness and almost supernatural ability to intertwine emotions. Their famous performing piece is the Beethoven's masterpiece String Quartet, Op.131, grandiose monster with 7 movements and no pause. So, as this disaster looms over them, their grievances and pent up emotions, threaten to undermine everything they managed to accomplish. Unfulfilled ambitions, loves not returned, or just the merciless passage of time, when looking behind you is less painful than glancing into the future. And above all, gorgeous music, mostly Beethoven, and the stunning aria written by Erich Korngold, sung by Anne Sofie Von Otter. Life continues because it must, all the flutter of our hearts slows down and we plod along. Beethoven helps.

Pretentious film, with a weak plot and OK but unimpressive acting. The film pretends to show a psychological drama inside a famous string quartet. Instead it is very banal melodrama with a predictable and flat plot. Don't expect to learn new things about Beethoven or classical music from this film. One of the actors (Christopher Walken) is not fitting the role and this is poorly masked by barely showing his hands when he is playing cello. The other actors at least give impression that they had some violin training. This film is supposed to be about finding an ultimate perfection in music but the actual performance leaves much to be desired.