Quartet (Dustin Hoffman, 2012) 4/5

As the BBC slogan flashes up on the big screen, the opening shot of an elderly pianist there was an inward groan from all of the young people in the audience. However, by the time the credits had begun to roll, this very groan had transformed into raucous laughter. At the preview screening of Dustin Hoffman’s directorial Quartet tonight, at the Brighton Film Festival, there was warm praise and applause as people filtered out of the Duke of York’s. The narrative follows a retirement home full of retired musicians and singers who put on a gala once a year in order to stay open. As the preparations get underway, the private lives of these individuals are peeled back to reveal broken hearts, fond memories and musical success.

The famous quartet of Reginald, Wilf, Sissy and Jean are brought to life by four bravura performances by Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins and Maggie Smith, respectively. The relationship that they all share is fused together by the constant interjection of music. Indeed, in parts, it is the music and the processes of creating it that surpass the performances themselves. An example of this is when Reg and Jean are sitting on a bench and watching the resident orchestra perform in a little gazebo. The tight framings on the instruments and the artists at work overthrow the actor’s conversation and we are immersed in the music. This occurs time and time again throughout the film and it is better for it as these are not just secondary characters, but classical performers of the stage. Even though the main four are the narratives tent poles, the secondary residents, most notably Cedric (Michael Gambon), are a constant presence where they perform and teach younger proteges their skills.

The main tension arises when former Opera star, Jean comes to Beecham House, much to the dismay of former husband Reg. Their hurtful divorce is given fresh light and when it is isn’t a happy reunion. Although, as they become re-aquainted through music, they bond once more and the foursome are back in business! If it weren’t for the subtle direction of Hoffman and the witty script by Ronald Harwood, this whole situation would disintegrate into pure cheese. Alas, it does not, and we are swept along by the antics of these great oldies.

However, what seems to be lacking here is a thorough examination of death. Often, the mater is swept under the carpet and given peripheral status to the eyes of the inmates. Indeed, as a resident is taken away to the hospital, the camera looks away from the window. Although, that being said, if we deal with this subject too much, then the film wouldn’t be half as entertaining! Even though the narrative and the themes within it aren’t anything new, indeed this film has a great affinity with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (John Madden, 2012) and Mrs Caldicot’s Cabbage War (Ian Sharp, 2002). As these two films, explore similar themes in nearly identical surroundings (not to mention the same cast!) What this signifies is that an industry that has, until recently, shied away from old age, is now embracing it. The reason is simple. There are just too many bloody good OAP actors, who have become criminally underused. Some may say that they are becoming type cast, well if that is the case, I will still buy a ticket to see their film!

One quote that really stuck with me after the screening tonight is this: ‘Getting old is not for sissy’s’. Too right, however, if I have half the amount of fun these ageing gems are having on screen I will be a very happy man indeed.

Cinema Demographics

In today’s G2 section of The Guardian, David Cox wrote an interesting piece about how older viewers are rescuing cinema.  Cox claims that a third of forthcoming Hollywood productions are being tailored for an older audience. This is a pretty large output, but for an increasingly large ageing population this makes sense. Yet if cinema-going is stereotypically for young adolescents and couples on a date, then how come the biddies have gate-crashed the party? My theory is how expensive going to the cinema has actually become. The youth of today are more than adept at illegally downloading movies and risking the wrath of the FBI than the elderly with disposable incomes and much more time on their hands. Hollywood and much of the film industry in general has been patronising its audience for decades, with sequels, franchises violence and big explosions. Selling us the same thing but marketing it as something different has earned them big bucks, although they are less to blame than the people who give them money. So grown up films like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy or The Artist according to Cox have become successful not just on the merit of the pictures themselves but on the merit of its audience.

And so to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a film unashamedly made for people of a certain age, about people finding a new lease of life in their twilight years and featuring over fifty actors such as Dame, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and Tom Wilkinson. The number one U. K box office hit deceptively appears to be for an older demographic but looking at an advert (pictured above) in Wednesday’s Metro, could most and David Cox in particular appear to be wrong? Quotes include Rose’s who is 17 and from Bolton and her comment that she could “watch it again and again”. Sarah from St. Albans is 19 and claims that the movie is “absolutely brilliant in every way”.  Emma, 25, Norwich, simply says “Superb”, David, 28, London claims “Laugh out loud funny”, Lorenzo, 23 London states “Absolutely fantastic” and Zarina, 28 from London declares that it is “Incredibly funny” and that she “absolutely adored this film!” . Whether these are real people or not, (if so could the said party email me) the poster’s ingenious decision to include the ages of their ‘cheerleaders’ is either ingenious or a little bit insecure on their part.

Image via Wikipedia

I’ve always been so jealous of my friends at other Universities (the ones who get awesome guest lecturers, and get to go on Uni trips abroad). I was even jealous of some people from the geology course here at UCLan who got to travel to the beach haha!

So I was over the moon when we all found out that UCLan had managed to arrange an interview with Bill Nighy. It was mostly for film/screenwriting students and the drama department, so luckily we all got first pick of the tickets.

It came as no surprise that Bill Nighy is a genuinely brilliant guy, and incredibly humorous. He even asked that the money the University had raised to pay him for his visit, should go to the Student Hardship Fund instead of him. He had the entire lecture theatre in peals of laughter with his anecdotes (mainly involving lots of swearing and a long rant about snickers bars).

He spoke to us for a good few hours, and told us all about his career and upcoming movie ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’. I honestly thought i’d get bored sat in a lecture hall for almost 3 hours, but he kept the entire hall entertained with his stories and experiences.

After our lecturers had finished interviewing him, the students got a chance to ask a few questions. Most of them were well thought out and interesting (apart from one girl asking in a deadpan voice what his favorite animal was! And another asking only questions about what it was like working with Johnny Depp). He seemed to really enjoy talking with us, and had loads of advice for us in conquering our fears.

He even stayed afterwards to sign autographs and have photos with everyone. He was so polite and friendly, and i’m honoured that I got a chance to meet him (even if i was too shy to ask for an autograph haha!)

It seems Bill Nighy gets just as nervous as any normal person would when he’s on stage or in front of the camera. He also wisely said that “procrastination is the breeder of fear”, which is far too true. I often find myself putting off things I want to achieve because I’m scared the final result won’t be good enough. Hopefully I’ll be able to conquer my self confidence issues just like he did.

Overall, it was an amazing night. And it’s always nice to leave a place feeling motivated and inspired (which is definitely a feeling I’ve missed recently). Here’s to hoping I put it to good use

B.