Last
week it was loud rock and roll music on stage for an hour and 45
minutes in “Million Dollar Quartet” and today it was an hour and 45
minutes of classical music on the screen in “A Late Quartet”. The latter
had a name cast with some standout performances and a much deeper
story.

Robert
(Philip Seymour Hoffman), his wife Juliette (Catherine Keener), along
with Peter (Christopher Walken) and Daniel (Mark Ivanir) are celebrating
their 25th anniversary playing  in a string quartet that has taken them
all over the world. The whole dynamics of the four is pulled asunder
when Peter is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease bringing out
jealousies, resentments, betrayal and infidelity.

The
screenplay by Seth Grossman and Yaron Zilberman, the latter also
directing, show how a quartet must work and play together to bring a
harmony to the music that is flawless. The instruments of the musicians
play off their feelings, emotions and yet they must reign them in so
they will sound as one.

Though
there are other minor characters the fifth member of the major roles is
played by Imogene Poots as Alexandria, the daughter of Robert and
Juliette, who tells her mother what it has meant to be growing up with
parents who traveled 7 months of the year. Poots arises to the acting
challenge with Keener in this scene but otherwise she  is either miscast
or directed well.

Regarding
the 4 stars I was most disappointed by Christopher Walken who isn’t
aging well and really gives Donald Trump a run for his money in the hair
department. He does have a very touching scene near the end that brings
the audience to tears though a lot of logic has to be checked at the
door.  Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a more quiet role than he usually
does and won me over completely which isn’t always the case. I am not
familiar with Mark Ivanir but he certainly impressed me in this role.
(Except for his 5 o’clock shadow beard which so many actors feel it is
necessary to have these days. In the scene where Hoffman shaves you
almost want to applaud this simple act!)

The
best of the cast is Catherine Keener as mother, wife and viola player
of the quartet. She has scenes with each of the leads and your eyes are
on her in those scenes.

The
classical music is an integral part of the movie never overpowering the
actors or story but adding to each scene. The main piece of music,
Beethoven’s Quartet in C sharp minor, opus 131, is played by The
Brentano String Quartet. I believe in the magic of movies and I want to
think it is the actors who are truly playing the instruments and it is
made believable enough to think that is what’s happening.

“A
Late Quartet” is a ‘small’ art theatre film that will hold everyones
interest for its playing time and, as a by product will introduce many
to what is called chamber music.

PLAYING AT THE GATEWAY THEATRE FORT LAUDERDALE