A film about the ins and outs of a New York City quartet may sound less than enticing (the drones of deceased Baroque composers come to mind), but add in the likes of actors Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener and Christopher Walken, and suddenly we're hooked. The film is "A Late Quartet," the story of an ensemble of musicians who, after having spent the last 25 years together, are faced with the illness of their beloved cellist, Walken's character. The somber realization that he will be leaving the group sets off a string of pretty dramatic acts as the three remaining players cope with egos, adultery and grief.
As many reviews have pointed out, the film gives off a slight Woody Allen vibe, chock-full of scenic shots of Manhattan and intimate conversations set in the posh neighborhoods of the Upper East Side. But, as far as the trailer shows, the wry humor of everyone's favorite wild-haired director is sadly missing. How far can drama about four classically-trained musicians go, if set to the climactic sounds of Beethoven's "Opus 131"? You'll have to watch to find out.
Let us know what you think of "A Late Quartet," from writer-director Yaron Zilberman, in the comments section below. The movie will be released on November 2, 2012.