Our next film is 2012's "Quartet", a movie in which we visit a home for retired musicians (specifically classical and opera stars). Some of the residents have a history, and they must overcome past hurts to forge future bonds. The film's cast includes Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins, Michael Gambon, Sheridan Smith, and Gwyneth Jones.
Beecham House is a retirement home for musicians. However, with the walls of the house, the residents are anything but retired. They regularly host musicals, benefits, and sing-a-longs to fill their days. Our film draws us into the lives of four residents in particular who sang the quartet from Rigoletto when they were in their prime.
Jean Horton is brand new to the retirement home, and she isn't happy about being there. Feeling her voice has deserted her, Jean is thrust into a world she doesn't want to participate in. She also has a torrid romantic history with one of the other quartet members.
Reginald Paget is Jean's former husband, and he is very upset that Jean is coming to live at Beecham House. An enthusiastic member of the house's singing occasions, Reg also teaches music appreciation to young people who are not very knowledgeable about opera. Of course, Reg doesn't know much about modern music, either. When one of his students mentions Lady Gaga, Reg asks, "Lady Ga-Who?"
Another quartet member is Wilfred Bond, a man who isn't quite ready to be old just yet. He fancies himself a lady's man, and he flirts shamelessly with the female household staff. He does and says what he likes. When he talks of a friend who has passed away, Wilf says, "He was a real dear
friend of mine. I'm really going to miss
him terribly.He was a genius, you know.He could fart at will."
And the last member of the quartet is Cissy Robson. Time has not been kind to Cissy. Senility is slowly taking over her mind. She spends her days listening to the quartet's old recordings. She's extraordinarily kind to everyone.
We also have the man who feels he's the director of the whole show going on at Beecham House. Cedric says, "Let me just say in
all modesty that all great artists need a great director, you
know.And...uh...here I am."
Reg and Jean have a lot to sort out, including all their past bad history. "Were you married four or five times?" Reg asks Jean, to which she replies, "I was only married twice...after you." After sorting everything out between themselves, Jean agrees to sing the quartet from Rigoletto at a gala celebrating Verdi.
The evening of the performance is a well-attended event with a wide variety of musical performances from the residents of Beecham House. (That's British opera star Gwyneth Jones in the top picture).
But the highlight of the show is the quartet, who emerge onstage to the rapturous applause from the audience. They wait for their music and begin to sing as the screen goes dark. Cast rundown:
Gwyneth Jones................................Anne Langley And that's it for Quartet. Most of the retirees living at Beecham House were portrayed by actual retired musicians from such illustrious companies as the English Chamber Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the English National Opera, among others.
The final song from the film was taken from this recording of "Bella figlia dell'amore", the quartet from Rigoletto, sung by Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, Isola Jones, and Leo Nucci. The comments from the Youtube website are so spot on. "If there is a more glorious four minutes of music, I don't want to know about it." "I could not stop looking. I could not. I tried." "Every time I come back to this video, I have goosebumps." The music and the voices are absolutely stunning. The audience seems to concur. For nearly two minutes, we hear thunderous, roaring applause from an approving audience that just keeps on going, getting louder and louder. As always, if you wish to leave a comment, please remember our posting rules.
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