Dvd Live At Blair

A penniless Parisian ingenue taken in by a fractious couple.

Beecham House, a grand country pile where former opera singers live out their retirements, is playing host to a concert in celebration of Verdi's birthday. But the arrival of one of the residents' ex-wife, a diva named Jean (Smith), brings chaos in tow.

Great cast and great performance, very nice looking film, funny at time. Even though I had a little hard time grabbing the value of the film, i still like it; We all know we can still shine when getting old, however it's a little scary watching the film about it. Video and audio are both excellent, especially audio for me; Overall, it's a film to recommend to watch for young people! I wouldn't recommend if you afraid of getting old.

It's easy to imagine how Quartet could have become a treacly mass of sentiment, but Hoffman and his spirited ensemble never let that happen. Everyone involved—the writer, the director and the stars—are far too aware, and too respectful, of the fact that remaining vital and focused as time wears away at you is a serious business (even if, like Connolly, one's business is comedy). As Hoffman recalls in his commentary, and many moviegoers may not be aware, Maggie Smith, the two-time Oscar-winning actress whom generations now know as Professor Minerva McGonagall had retired in the late Eighties after a long and debilitating illness. Her love of acting brought her back in 1991's Hook , and she has continued working ever since. In Quartet , Dame Maggie breaks new cinematic ground as she utters the f-word for the first time in a screen career spanning over fifty years. She says it beautifully. Highly recommended.

Many old, ill and especially those suffering from early dementia or following a stroke are most reluctant to discuss the subject and this film has the possibility to deeply offend. The cast and crew are obviously very much aware of this and skate over thin ice like Olympic champions. This is a delightful film, especially for musicians and I thought it was wonderful. By contrast my brother who is in hospital following a stroke, but is still very alert, found it deeply distasteful and asked that it be turned off, so just be careful who you show it to. Billy Connolly is his usual hilarious, crude and vulgar self and could well offend but not me! A rare gem