Quartet Film by Dustin Hoffman

[Guest]

Had the pleasure last night of seeing a film at the Leeds International Film Festival called Quartet, which was directed by Dustin Hoffman.

It starred Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay and Pauline Collins as retired opera singers residing in a residential home for musicians. It was a lovely BBC production - rather like the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel meets Gosford Park - and a little bit twee, but featured opera as its backdrop which pleased me no end. The story concerns four ex-singers who reunite for the Quartet from Rigoletto (Bella Figlia Del Amore) at a Gala benefit (directed by Michael Gambon in full luvvy mode) to raise money for the retirement home.

It's about growing old with humour and not giving up on the things you love.

Rather fascinatingly it also featured Dame Gwyneth Jones as a "Norma Desmondesque" rival of Maggie Smith's. She even sings Vissi D'Arte at the Gala (lip synced) but I am sure it was her. And I was pleased to spot John Rawnsley who was of course in the famous Jonathan Miller Rigoletto for ENO.

In all a rather nice film and one full of little touches like the mock Decca Originals CD of their famous Rigoletto recording looking like a proper CD release.

Recommended if you get a chance. I think it's released in the New Year. If anyone else has seen it - what did you think?

[french frank]

Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay and Pauline Collins as retired opera singers ...

[Flay]

Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay and Pauline Collins as retired opera singers ...

It sounds excellent. They're actors, remember...

I was talking just the other day about how I would hate to end up in an old folks' home where the music and company was not to my taste, where there might not be enough personal space and freedom.

Do you want to build a home for us all as your next project, ff?

[Roslynmuse]

There's a lovely film (documentary, really) called Tosca's Kiss (Il bacio di Tosca) filmed in the Casa Verdi - the home for retired opera singers set up by Verdi (or from money from his estate, I can't remember which) - which, when I saw it earlier this year, reminded me of what I'd heard about this film. An old friend - a real-life retired singer - had told me about it a year or so back when it was being filmed as she had been asked to appear as an 'extra'.

[Historian]

Had the pleasure last night of seeing a film at the Leeds International Film Festival called Quartet, which was directed by Dustin If anyone else has seen it - what did you think?

I haven't seen this film, but I did see the original play, by Ronald Harwood, in 1999. It has taken some time to make it to the Silver Screen. I seem to recall that it was enjoyable but a bit uneven.

[martin_opera]

There's a lovely film (documentary, really) called Tosca's Kiss (Il bacio di Tosca) filmed in the Casa Verdi - the home for retired opera singers set up by Verdi (or from money from his estate, I can't remember which) - which, when I saw it earlier this year, reminded me of what I'd heard about this film. An old friend - a real-life retired singer - had told me about it a year or so back when it was being filmed as she had been asked to appear as an 'extra'.

The credits highlighted the numerous "real life" opera singers and musicians who starred in the film. I'd say that the unevenness of the play has not been resolved on screen and the whole film is a little superficial but no less enjoyable for that - and of course it is a treat to see these fine actors (and to see Maggie Smith in something other than Downton Abbey or Harry Potter!).

[french frank]

Do you want to build a home for us all as your next project, ff?

Another one? What's wrong with this place?

[salymap]

I always hoped the Musician's Benevolent Home in Bromley, a mile or two from here, would find a space for me one day as they did take a few people who worked in music. However they threw out several well known musicians some years ago and they may have closed by now. Not nice behaviour.
It could have been quite fun too..........

[Flay]

I always hoped the Musician's Benevolent Home in Bromley, a mile or two from here, would find a space for me.... ...and they may have closed by now...
It could have been quite fun too..........

Too late, saly

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7543062.stm

[amateur51]

Another one? What's wrong with this place?

[salymap]

Thanks Flay, yes I though they had gone by now.

[Flay]

Seconded, an excellent retort, ff

Anyway imagine the brouhahas over breakfast that could be engendered by certain message boarders hereabouts. It would put me off my Bran Flakes!

[salymap]

Seconded, an excellent retort, ff

Anyway imagine the brouhahas over breakfast that could be engendered by certain message boarders hereabouts. It would put me off my Bran Flakes!

Ooh yes, doesn't bear thinking about.

[Hautboiste]

Quartet is on at my local cinema next week and I've booked a ticket for New Year's Day afternoon. I'm not a cinema-goer but the idea of the film appealed and I've not been well for the last couple of weeks and thought that a little afternoon out would perk me up.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Another one? What's wrong with this place?

It's virtually impossible to get a bath or a decent meal!