Monday 8 April 2013

Film: 'A LATE QUARTET'

A slight preamble. Just before going into the cinema for this film I heard on my Walkman (yes, I still use one!) the news of the death of Thatcher. In the small-screen auditorium, before the lights went down I announced it to the audience of 25-30, which certainly got them buzzing - just as the film was about to start (heh heh!) - though I hadn't intended for that to happen.

Now the film:-


'The Fugue Quartet' -

1st violin: Mark Ivanir
2nd violin: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Viola: Catherine Keener
Cello: Christopher Walken


A film depicting, as far as I know, completely uncharted territory - at least I can't think of another which plays the internal personal dynamics of a group of players in a classical chamber group. (It's a subject I've often pondered on - even while a concert which I'm attending is progressing!)

The background against which the story is set is the string quartet's preparation for a concert including the  late C# minor Quartet of Beethoven Op. 131. (I was a bit afraid that the familiarity of the music would be distracting, especially when it is broken up into small segments which just suddenly stop. In the event it wasn't really so, though it might be an advantage in not knowing this particular work).

The engine of the film starts going early on with cellist Christopher Walken (in a perfectly understated role) announcing that he is showing symptoms of the onset of Parkinson's and that for the sake of the survival of the quartet the other members ought to start thinking about finding a replacement. Hoffman and Keener are  married with a violin-playing daughter and skeletons start tumbling out between the three of them. Meantime Mark Ivanir (a name I didn't know before, but quite a hottie with his facial scruff) tries to maintain his position playing lead violin against the growing resentment of Hoffman (here a big, blonde, bearded bear of a figure) who wants a turn at being first violinist. A couple of affairs take place and, when discovered, reactions are predictable, though understandable. There's even a scene of high farce, where the comedy is quite unlike the remainder of the film.
    I generally liked it. The film isn't consistently on an even keel. There are hysterical emotional outbursts, but it surely wasn't intended to be all on one contemplative level. Acting from all members of the cast could hardly have been bettered. But I think I was most impressed by story's originality of conception, and that is indeed a rarity these days.
   The final scene in the concert hall was almost unbearably affecting. It was so well executed that it made me very nearly forgive some of the possibly misplaced soap-opera emotional excesses that had gone before.

A worthwhile watch without a doubt, and quite a 'brave' film..........................7/10
    





                                                      

12 comments:

  1. I adore keener
    She is a delightfully warm actress.....with a generous grin and a talent to die for

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    1. I agree, J.G. I've found here an attractive actress from the very first moment I noticed her on screen, and in this one she's at her very best - inner-conflicted while trying, and not always succeeding, to keep her emotions separate from her day-work. Another film for your 'must see' list.

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  2. Appears all is well and I am able to comment

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  3. Wow, that was easy. What a relief not to try to read those blurred numbers.

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    1. I'm relieved too, Paul. Good that you're not only still there but should now find it less of a problem to read and comment. Maybe I'll even get some new followers. (I may remove the top italicised paragraph in a little while when it's clear that there are no problems arising.)

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  4. this is only a test; do not adjust your set.

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    1. You're welcome, A.M. It's looking good - as I know you are!

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  5. I hadn't even heard of the film Ray - talk about being out of touch! I missed Fridays paper so perhaps that's why I missed a review of it.
    It sounds like an interesting wee story. Thanks for making me aware of it.

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    1. I never knew it was even coming until last week, Craig. It's a goody (at least I think it is), though on Radio 4s 'Front Row' it didn't quite achieve even half a thumbs-up. I'd give it a try. I don't think you'll be bored..

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  6. I saw this several months ago in the theatre. After reading your review, I decided to watch it again on Movies On Demand. I enjoyed it much more at home. This film is a win-win film and how can it not be with an ensemble cast like this. I am not to fond of Hoffman, but I have to admit this film belonged to him. I think that this is the first film in many years that Walken hasn't chewed up the scenery. Nice understated performance.

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    1. I have to confess being a Hoffman admirer so maybe I was to some extent favourably disposed in that respect. I think his acting is usually awesome, and I found it here too. In this film he does get quite a lot of the focus, though not through putting the others in the shade. 'Ensemble cast' has never been a more appropriate term!

      Walken is an actor who for a long time left me perplexed as to why he was so well-regarded. (William Hurt is another one). But he definitely is good in this. His contribution here is modest in terms of the 'theatricality' of the others, especially Hoffman/Keener, but it's no less effective for all that.
      I was going to say something in the main blog about him but it sounds like I'm beating the same old drum, so I'll now say it here. It's the first film of his I've seen for quite some time where the character he's playing doesn't come out with some homophobic remark. It's happened so often in his other films that I was beginning to wonder if he insisted on saying such to reinforce his 'straightness' following knowledge of his dancing background at the start of his career. I know it's ridiculous - or is it? But he's worthy of praise here, the only one of the four who, despite his dreadful situation, manages to keep control.

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  7. Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to check this out if it is playing here in Houston. Unfortunately, there aren't many places, left showing the smaller independent films.

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