Smith and Connelly, I am familiar, and I'd say they're still at the top of their form. Courtenay and Collins, I've been introduced and is delighted to have seen them here, a film which could be considered a crash course in everything G Verdi. It would be considered downright exploitative to expect these seasoned thespians to actually sing the quartet from Rigoletto. Of course they wouldn't.It's such a joy seeing such passion in people in their sunset years depicted on screen, especialy the one exemplified by Courtenay as he gives that masterclass in classical music to a group of youthful and impressionable audience. One and a half hour is a guaranteed cool soothing breeze watching the four main characters and an ensemble that includes Gambon, Sachs giving effortless charming performances that will put a smile into people's faces, if not laughter.Not a chore watching this film because in real life meeting these sort of people would be considered quite a chore. Thanks for saving us that bother. Of course, just kidding.My rating: B-plus

As a singer I found this film to really clutch at the heart strings. As everyone my age I'm sure wonders what its like to be older but also in my industry an older singer who slowly begins to loose their sparkle with age. I found it very moving and beautifully honest. I felt the casting was sublime and the direction and performances were stunning.

This had all the makings of a lovely film, especially the retirement home...when I can I book a place there?...It was great. And it housed a wealth of British acting talent anchored by the directing debut of Dustin Hoffman. All well and good.The trouble with Quartet was its plot was too thin,not allowing for much character development and inter action among the ensemble cast. This would have been more adept at being a made for TV movie. But it was too short and shallow for the cinema.As for the cast, I somehow couldn't picture Maggie Smith as an opera diva. And having Pauline Collins' deeply senile character as part of an operatic quartet to be performed at the home was really stretching it a bit.Yet the film was entertaining,while also being disappointing.

Dustin Hoffman did ever so well to assemble such a fine cast and the set locations were excellent. But that's just about the only good points to be made. What Tom Courtenay and Maggie Smith are doing in this pointless tripe I'll never know? This is a cast of top actors who deserve better. Such a poor story line, bad script and nothing really going on to hold your attention. I made it to the uneventful very end, but I don't know how or why? Wet Sunday afternoon film when there's nothing better to do. My copy of this DVD is now in the charity box.Big chance missed Dustin, stick to acting you are so good at it.