Quartet Reviews
Movies With Butter
A quick and charming story of late life revival so surprisingly lithe you'd hardly believe it was a directorial debut.
Mark Leeper's Reviews
Dustin Hoffman, directing a film for the first time, gives us a film as comfortable as an old stuffed chair.
Full Review
| Original Score: 7/10
Tri-City Herald
After Quartet, actor/director Dustin Hoffman should never direct again. Perfection like this cannot be repeated, and from here, everything is downhill.
Full Review
| Original Score: 5/5
Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
As the film's characters are reaching the end of their lives, loose ends will be tied and soul searching will be done. Hoffman gracefully orchestrates the story's emotional arc. Quartet is a lovely late-career surprise from a master actor.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/4
Top CriticThe first thing to note is that Hoffman has apparently had a grand time working with these professionals, all of whom as residents of the home are splendid.
KC Active
At 75, Dustin Hoffman makes his directorial debut with 'Quartet' and demonstrates some real promise if the acting thing doesn't work out.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Quartet" asks the musical question, "Is there such a thing as too much Maggie Smith?" and answers it with a resounding "No."
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
MediaMikes
The film is quiet and personal, as are others based on Harwood's work ("The Dresser," "Taking Sides") and that trait is enforced by Hoffman's straightforward and unforced direction.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
Video-Reviewmaster.com
While 'Quartet' seems to be part of a double feature with 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,' it does lack 'Exotic's' breadth of characterizations and humor.
Full Review
| Original Score: B
Creative Loafing
Of course, let's take care not to oversell this piece, which is the sort of genteel art-house offering that will thrill older audiences but seems unlikely to break out with those who don't know Downton Abbey from Howards End.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Austin Chronicle
Charming, funny, and sentimental, the film is exactly what you expect it to be, but very satisfying in achieving that goal.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
'Quartet' is one of the best movies you'll ever see about old age and while it does wind up as a celebration of life it doesn't flinch when dealing with some of the unpleasant realities of growing older.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/5
"Quartet" is one of those movies that looks so effortless, it's easy to forget just how much could have gone wrong.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
'Quartet" is a lovely little charm bracelet of a film, a fairy tale for the geriatric set blessed with a wonderful cast and a carry-on attitude.
Full Review
| Original Score: B-
Lyles' Movie Files
This ensemble is a lively fun bunch that warrants several curtain calls.
Full Review
| Original Score: 8/10
Hoffman, in his directorial debut, has crafted a hopeful movie with a warm atmosphere, but one that's realistic, too.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
The premise may sound insufferable, but this light comedy about a nursing home for retired classical musicians isn't half-bad.
Charlotte Observer
Hoffman and Harwood aren't afraid to show us old people who are rude, demanding, unreasonable and foolish, though the final overall mood remains blissful.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Whatever his imprint on the film might be, it's overshadowed by the performances of its stellar, veteran cast, to whom Hoffman wisely gives ample rein.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
Beliefnet
There is something splendid about seeing fine actors at the top of their game, still nailing it - in a movie about older performers, still nailing it.
Full Review
| Original Score: B
