gill_shave I only caught the last hour of this film last night on TV. I thought that it was subtle and intelligent. Obviously one is not going to get a full uncut performance of a late Beethoven quartet in a film about the psycho dynamics of the players and their devotion to the music that they performed. However inevitably the music did take centre stage because of its profundity and without it I would not have understood so well their individual stories. This meant that for me, the background music that appeared elsewhere was a massive irritation. Would it not have been better to have no background music in a film that was about great music? I think so. In a few films (The Talented Mr Ripley comes to mind) every note has been calculated in minute detail and contributes to an extraordinary overall experience. In this film, the background music as a massive minus point for me...although I can't wait to see the film again in its entirety.

blanche-2 Christopher Walken, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Mark Ivanir, and Imogen Poots experience "A Late Quartet" and its ramifications in this 2012 film.Walken plays Peter Mitchell, a musician involved in an ensemble called the Fugue Quartet. The quartet has played together for 25 years and consists of Robert & Juliette Gelbart (Hoffman and Keener), and Daniel Lerner (Ivanir). Imogen Poots plays Alexandra Gelbart, Robert and Juliette's daughter.Mitchell is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and, realizing he won't be able to play much longer, informs the group and seeks out a replacement.The news causes all kinds of disruption. Robert, the second violinist, decides that he no longer wants to play second violin; he wants to move up to first chair. When Catherine tells him that she's discussed this with Daniel, and he is better as second violinist, he feels betrayed and acts out.Robert confronts Daniel and criticizes his work, telling him that he has no passion. Daniel then acts out in a way that has an effect on the Gelbarts.Nothing much happens in this movie, but I was crying at the end.Frankly there wasn't enough plot to keep this thing going for 105 minutes -- 45 would have been fine. It would have been a nice short film.That being said, there were some very powerful scenes. One of the best was the confrontation between Catherine and Alexandra, who vilifies her mother for having her and then traveling eight months of the year. A bad mother-daughter fight that will resonate with a lot of people.The scene at Peter's house during rehearsal, when Daniel is confronted by Robert and Juliette. The final scene was very touching.Christopher Walken gives a beautiful performance of a man who has to face the hardest thing a professional can face -- the loss of ability. There comes a time when an athlete, a dancer, a singer says, my time is up. And it's sad because a musician should be able to keep playing! I thought Walken captured his character beautifully.Hoffman's role was not as good, but he was excellent as usual. What a crying shame that he is gone.Catherine Keener and Imogen Poots were both solid -- again, for me, these were not great roles. Both were honest and real in their emotions in what they had to do.Mark Ivanir gave a more subtle performance -- his character is cerebral, uptight, and not exceptionally verbal. He's perfect.If you're a musician, you possibly will get more out of this than others -- hard to say. I think there are some universal emotions expressed in this film. It's just not electrifying. Not everything needs to be.

lunchboxwanderer 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.

juanmlleras This is one of the most beautiful movies I have seen lately. Beautiful photography, a finely crafted plot and a superb ensemble of actors and behind- the - scenes musicians. Two actors carry the weight of the drama on their excellent and proved performance capabilities. Philip Seymour Hoffman the second violin of the Fugue Quartet, and Christopher Walken as the cellist and oldest member. Although the film centers around the performance of Beethoven's No. 131 String Quartet, the core of this movie is about human relations. This movie is not for the guy or girl who loves only high adrenaline + special effects flick. This movie is for people who like theater and old style drama. A bonus for the viewer is the magnificent and moving music by Beethoven, and Korngold. If you love classical music as I do, this film is a rare and precious jewel.