A Late Quartet - A Movie Review

You have to respect the music.

"A Late Quartet" is a 2012 film. A quartet of musicians experiences problems when one member is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. As they search for a new partner, secrets spill out, affecting relationships.

Music is a different language that has brought out several feelings and stories, which is what drew me to "A Late Quartet." It explores the dynamics within a musical group, but concentrates too much on everyone’s relationships. 

A talented quartet of actors stars together. Christopher Walken (Peter), Catherine Keener (Juliette), Mark Ivaner (Daniel), and the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Robert) have lovely musical skills and studied their dynamic. They may have different tastes in music, but the quartet has always been there to support one another.

None of the actors are musically trained but learned precise physical movements and placements on instruments with coaches. Walken said that learning to play the cello was difficult. 

Walken was the best performance and had the most compelling arc. Peter is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and struggles to continue to play music. Walken connects with his character’s passion for music and gives inspirational talks to his class. As we see, he is the glue that keeps everyone together.

As for the rest of the group, they’re plagued with relationship dramas. While Robert and Juliette experience marriage problems, their music partner, Daniel, has an affair with their daughter, Alex.

If you don’t know Imogen Poots, you need to put her on your watch list. Poots is a versatile actress who completely takes over roles. She plays Alex, a music student who holds her own. 

Credits include Anne Sofie von Otter, Madhur Jaffrey, Liraz Charhi, and Wallace Shawn. Shawn is a popular character actor in the film world. He always makes the best of small roles. In a rarity, he plays a stern personality as Gideon Rosen. 

"A Late Quartet" was directed by Yaron Zilberman, who is originally from Isreal. This was the classical music fan’s feature debut. Before directing
A Late Quarter," he made documentaries and independents films. 

He focused on the music and also the authenticity. Zilberman said that no hand doubles were used throughout filming, except for the more difficult close-ups. He had exceptional direction throughout, with artistic edits, but its the story that could have been stronger. 

The story could have flowed better. The quartet has been there for each other through it all, but their dramas take over the film. The pacing is slow in the middle act. One of them goes behind their closest friend's back to date their daughter. Most importantly, Alex deserved a different angle, especially with Daniel’s out-of-character decision. 

I liked Alex and Daniel’s subplot at first, with Alex soliciting her own direction and advice. Her character was wasted potential, especially with how the characters keep endorsing for a musician named Nina to join the quartet. Since Alex is trying to perfect her musical abilities, why not make her this character? 

More time devoted to the creative tensions, rather than conventional relationship drama, would have given the story more originality. It felt like I was watching a soap opera. 

Music is central to the story. You could say music is its own character, since it’s in every scene. I have come to appreciate music more over the years. The music sequences are the most breathtaking part of the film, with how Zilberman syncs tunes together with other scenes. The film’s soundtrack was recorded by the Brentano String Musicians. 

Despite its offbeats, "A Late Quartet" (2012) is worth checking out, especially if you like classical music. It’s streaming on Tubi.