Quartet: A Love Story Set to Classical Music by Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman numbers among the world’s finest actors. He burst onto the scene in The Graduate (67) and followed up with an incredible career highlighted by many memorable, award winning performances. He won the Academy Awards® for Best Actor for Kramer vs. Kramer (79) and Rain Man (88) has had other great performances in All the President’s Men (76), Marathon Man (76),Sleepers (96), Stranger Than Fiction (06) and Barney’s Version (10).

Hoffman has now stepped behind the camera as director and producer of his first feature film “Quartet”. The film is really flawless with a cast of talented actors who seem to truly love their roles and suit them to perfection. Who knew that Dustin Hoffman had such a great sense of humour and is a really a softy at heart! “Quartet” is a charming, funny love story set to a wonderful soundtrack with original music composed by Dario Marianelli. Think of some of the most beautiful classical music by such composers as Francesco Verdi, Giuseppe Fortunino, Giacomo Puccini, Gioacchino Rossini andFranz Joseph Haydn, et al. Make the setting a beautiful English country estate, and fill it with truly talented, endearing musicians and artists in their retirement years. It encapsulates the most idyllic, enchanting way to wish to spend ones latter years.

Dustin Hoffman has brought together the perfect partnership of talent;

Billy Connolly (Wilf), Reggie (Tom Courtenay), Cissy (Pauline Collins) and Reggie’s ex Jean (Maggie Smith, the great aging diva.  The four friends used to be famous opera singers and together performed an internationally acclaimed quartet from Rigoletto years ago. They have all ended up at a The Beecham House Retirement Home for musicians and opera singers. There is a supporting cast of equally talented musicians and vocalists including Michael Gambon, the groups self- proclaimed director.

The Retirement Home puts on a Gala each year in honor of Verde’s birthday, which is financially vital to operations but also creates a great sense of joy for everyone involved. This year the performance is particularly significant and will need the participation of Jean (Maggie Smith) who as an aging great diva not sure of wanting the spotlight any more. There is also a beautiful central love story that weaves through the tale involving Jean and Reggie. Billy Connolly brings his exceptions wit and charm to his role and Pauline Collins is delightfully clever and endearing.

myETVmedia was delighted to meet Dustin Hoffman, Maggie Smith and Billy Connolly on the Red Carpet for TIFF 2012. This is a joyful movie and I highly recommend seeing it. It’s a movie you can share with family who might otherwise not get to the movies much.

-Moira Romano