A Late Quartet

source: A Late Quartet

This was, for me, a wonderfully SATISFYING movie--I enjoyed seeing it, talking about it, remembering seeing it. I think some critics have inadvertently played it false, suggesting that it is about the music; it's not. It's about the quartet and the people in it: the crises they face and the compromises they make. In short, it's a drama. One critic above says 'the film's biggest flaw is that the four individuals are so indulged in a reality that this string quartet is the most important thing in the world, that the movie-goer is often left asking why is it so important.' OK, so that's not really English, but you get the idea. That reviewer is apparently unfamiliar with what is, after all, a fairly arcane phenomenon, the long-lived classical string quartet. Not everybody (OK, hardly anybody) has heard of the great quartets, even though several have been international stars for 50 years: the Budapest, I Solistic di Zagreb, the Borodin, the Guarneri. They're not Top of the Charts and never were; they don't play to Springsteen/Streisand-size audiences; they perform in concert halls not ballparks. But the movie makes clear that this group has been together for a quarter-century and is beloved, admired and world famous: nuff said. And it is obvious from the script that the quartet is their life's work and greatest achievement, and because it is also a shelter against their personal troubles, its members are as desperate to protect it as they are to protect themselves. It's all they have. Another critic above seems to think it impossible that a professional musician would forget his valuable instrument in a taxi. Well, for as long as I can remember that has been reported in NYC newspapers about once every five years or so. If you doubt my word, Google 'Stradivarius left in taxi'. (Oddly, the Strad seems to be the world's most famous AND forgotten violin). Another plus: Imogen Poots. The name alone makes me swoon.

A member of a long-lived and famous string quartet announces that he will have to leave the quartet due to illness. This movie details the effect this has on the members of the quartet and their families, friends, and lovers. This will probably play to a niche audience, which is unfortunate since it touches on topics of general interest that transcend the story specifics. The main theme concerns the delicate balance that exists in order to sustain any long term relationship. Things move toward melodrama as we follow what happens to these people, but I found most of what takes place believable--whenever a key element is removed from a stable group, people go a little crazy until the wound is healed. Long standing resentments can surface as people reexamine their lives. If you have ever been a member of any close relationship, whether a marriage or a team at work, or whatever, and the organizing dynamic changes, then you will be able to identify with what happens in this movie. Another theme deals with how the demands of a career as a professional performer can be exacting. There is a particularly searing scene between the woman member of the quartet and her daughter where the daughter (also a musician) accuses the mother of neglect. As is usually the case in such arguments, both parties come away wounded. The actors turn in performances that raise this above the average. I was impressed that the cast did a credible job of playing their instruments. The practice it must have taken to reach that level of skill indicates to me that they were committed. It was good to see Christopher Walken in a straight dramatic role; it was also a treat to see Wallace Shawn essentially reprise his role in "My Dinner with Andre," again at a dinner table, in a scene that lasted but a couple of minutes. As an added treat, Anne Sofie von Otter is on hand to sing a brief aria. An appreciation of classical music undoubtedly adds to the enjoyment of this, but is by no means a requirement. There is only one extended musical segment, from one of Beethoven's late quartets, and most of that is played over the end credits. Seeing this encouraged me to revisit listening to all of the Beethoven late quartets. This should appeal to a wider audience than I'm afraid will give it a go. The excellent 1983 movie, "The Basileus Quartet," that echoes many of the themes in this movie, seems to have dropped off the map. Coming away from these movies will likely leave you with a feeling that, whatever your situation, whatever your current passions, they will come to an end, and ultimately so will you.

This is easily the most pretentious movie of the year. Not one character is believable. How can anyone relate to this artsy fartsy pablum? Most people in the real world deal with these problems on a daily basis but don't have their stories dramatized. But since it's an elitist type deal, the hoity toity crowd, it gets high ratings on IMDb. Only dooches relate to this film, most likely the worst of the decade, due to how awfully snobby it is. If I had my way, I'd send 'The Sons of Anarchy' in to break this pupu up. Now that would be a great film. These snooty tooty people getting their behinds kicked by a biker gang. You add Jason Statham to the mix and you've gotta a good film...as long as he's drinking a Schlitz tall boy at the beginning of every scene.