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.

Greetings from Lithuania."A Late Quartet" (2012) is a very honest, good picture. I know, the premise of a drama about quartet doesn't sound really exciting , but trust me, this movie is really good for even those (like me) who don't know anything about serious music. The acting is superb, very solid, especially by the great Christopher Walken. This movie is so touching is it's on way you just can't let it go. Overall, a very solid 9/10 for "A Late Quartet", and sadly, the title represents the very sad and sudden departure of one of our greatest actors Philip Seymour Hoffman - do your self a favor and watch this picture, it's a truly great picture about theme you won't find in a movies - it's like bottle of good wine.

"A Late Quartet" sets out on a lofty premise: the human intrigue of a longstanding string quartet that vauntedly plays Beethoven's great meditation on mortality and the abyss, the Op. 131 quartet. And promptly it begins to stumble, with arid, dessicated execution pretending to be contemplative. One quartet member gets an unfortunate medical diagnosis, but in fact the diagnosis isn't nearly as bad as the producers and directors posture it as being. Meanwhile, the storyline between two quartet members who are a couple becomes soap-operatic. What I kept hoping this film would achieve is resonance between the arc of the story and the movements of the quartet, which contains some of the profoundest existential utterances by Western man. It never does. Meanwhile, I know intimately at least three dozen fine ensemble performances of the Op. 131, and while I do not expect the rendition provided in the soundtrack to be measured by them, the interpretations provided in the score don't move me. There is fine talent here, and I never don't enjoy Catherine Keener in anything, but the totality of this film cannot help but stray into being lapidary and boring.

This is one of the most beautiful movies I have seen lately. Beautiful photography, a finely crafted plot and a superb ensemble of actors and behind- the - scenes musicians. Two actors carry the weight of the drama on their excellent and proved performance capabilities. Philip Seymour Hoffman the second violin of the Fugue Quartet, and Christopher Walken as the cellist and oldest member. Although the film centers around the performance of Beethoven's No. 131 String Quartet, the core of this movie is about human relations. This movie is not for the guy or girl who loves only high adrenaline + special effects flick. This movie is for people who like theater and old style drama. A bonus for the viewer is the magnificent and moving music by Beethoven, and Korngold. If you love classical music as I do, this film is a rare and precious jewel.