A Late Quartet
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener, Mark Ivanir, Imogen Poots
Director: Yaron Zilberman
Rating: 4/5
There is nothing batter when a group of super talented actors come together and show that they really are at the top of their game.
And that is exactly what has happened with A Late Quartet - a movie about families, relationships and music.
When the beloved cellist of a world-renowned string quartet is diagnosed with a life threatening illness, the group’s future suddenly hangs in the balance as suppressed emotions, competing egos and uncontrollable passions threaten to derail years of friendship and collaboration.
As they are about to play their 25th anniversary concert - quite possibly their last - only their intimate bond and the power of music can preserve their legacy.
More recently we have seen more and more movies made for older audiences starring older cast members and they have been a huge success.
A Late Quartet is the latest film to go down this path and it really is another treat as the central quartet of actors are simply superb from start to finish.
This is a movie that really shows the joys as well as the trails that come with being a performer for a living; there is love and animosity between the group who have stayed together because of their success.
Christopher Walker is wonderful in the lead role of Peter - a man who is dealing with getting old, being ill as well as dealing with the grief of losing his wife.
It is a tour de force performance by Walken as he delivers this character in a very understated way. Peter is the member who has kept the quartet together and has been a father figure and mentor to the others.
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener are also wonderful as a couple who are on the brink - perhaps only staying together because they work together.
This so easily could have descended into melodrama and yet director Yaron Zilberman has prevented it from doing so.
Instead Zilberman has presented a movie about four people who have paid a personal price for being so successful as a group; whether it be not finding love, being professionally thwarted or not being the parent your child needed you to be.
A Late Quartet is not just about the acting it is also about the music - something which is delivered wonderfully throughout.
A Late Quartet is a terrific movie from start to finish that has heart and emotion and is delivered so well by a very talented cast.
A Late Quartet is out now