Upon the recommendation of a friend, I purchased this film. I am glad I did. What does happen to celebrities that once bathed in the limelight and are forced, due to illness or other things, retire in a home? That is basically the story of QUARTET.
My favorite British actress, Maggie Smith, is wonderful as Jean Horton, former opera diva. Unbeknownst to her, her former husband is also a resident. He does not want anything to do with her and she is ready to apologize. Tom Courtenay portrays her ex, Reginald. He does have a wonderful scene with young students who come to hear a lecture about opera. He tries to explain opera; he even does research on rap and hip-hop. He explains that in opera, the character is stabbed in the back with a knife, then sings about the betrayal before dying. The young student also tries to explain rap to the opera singer by rapping a comparison of opera and rap. It's a clever scene.
Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins round out the quartet. Billy loves to flirt with the director of the home who is married. Pauline Collins, also a former diva, is beginning to show signs of dementia and her character is very childlike and innocent. Their goal is to have Jean join them in the Quartet from "Rigoletto." Do they succeed?
What brought me to tears is the fact that the elderly are an aspect of society that we forget about. The residents of the home were famous in their heyday, and now they are forgotten or are voices on recordings recalling their glory days. Makes me think of contemporary singers and how they will live their lives when they are past 60.
It is a bittersweet comedy to be thoroughly enjoyed. The opening song is "Brindisi" from LA TRAVIATA, I believe. My knowledge of opera is non-existent, as my knowledge of musical theatre is
existent. I believe this film has opened up my curiosity into the world of opera. Enjoy!
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