"Don't die until you're dead" - the theme of the movie Quartet as encapsulated for its director, Dustin Hoffman, by Billy Connelly, one of the quartet that take stage center in this lovely movie that I am recommending to anyone over 50, and anyone under 50 who is caring for aging loved ones.
Quartet tells the story of four elderly British opera singers, who reunite in a home for retired, needy British musicians. The reunion is strained, for three of the quartet have been there awhile, have created new patterns, new friendships, have settled in. Then, quite unexpectedly, the fourth, the diva, the soprano played as only Maggie Smith could, arrives bringing her phonograph, the albums of her glory days, and a hefty dose of discordance and unfinished business.
The members of the quartet are veteran British actors and actresses who play off one another with a grace and sensitivity that helps you believe they could have performed together decades ago. As you are asked to believe they did - the performance, the quartet from Rigoletto. A performance they are asked to repeat for a concert to be given on the anniversary of Verdi's birthday, designed not only to raise money for the home, but to acknowledge the contribution and heritage of the home's residents.
The challenges that each member faces in order to perform are representative of the challenges many of us have faced already or will most likely face in the future - health issues, unfinished business with relationships, loss of skills and a sense of identity, loneliness. All are treated with compassion and dignity. Never harsh, never maudlin, but also never pollyannish. Humorous, but not at anyone's expense.
The cast is supported by musicians whose scenes of practice and performance are as touching as those of the quartet. Hoffman reported in an AARP interview that some of the musicians had not been asked to perform for over 30 years and were so grateful to be included that they showed up at 6 in the morning and would rehearse for 14 hours. The music itself is worth the admission, and in case you are not a huge fan of classical music, not to worry. My husband isn't either, and he enjoyed the film as much as I did. Just watching the musicians, their concentration, their dedication and the sheer joy of making music together and having their skills enjoyed and applauded was such a pleasure.
So - though I understand Billy Connelly's synopsis and smiled when I read it, I also think this movie deals with themes of friendship and forgiveness, courage and possibility. With characters who are aging, but not old. I recommend it because I think you would enjoy it and also because I want to support these lovely, quiet films that celebrate rather than denigrate. That tell simple stories well, that don't rely on special effects and gimmicks. That leave you feeling better, more hopeful than when you entered the theater. That could even leave you clapping in appreciation, as Quartet inspired our matinee audience.
I hadn't thought about her for years, but since seeing "Hope Springs" recently, she's in the forefront of my memories. Her name was Jane. I say was because, although I lost track of her,I know she's deceased. If there is a heaven, she surely has made it.
Jane was 30 years my senior. Soft-spoken,serene, raised a Quaker, she moved through the world with a quiet charm and grace. She gave meaning to a word we didn't use to describe people in the 70's - she was grounded.
I wasn't grounded. One year after a painful and contentious divorce, I vacillated between anger and anxiety. Jane welcomed me, not with pity, but with compassion and an appreciation for skills and expertise I felt had abandoned me. As we worked together to produce a critical thinking course for a pre-adolescent religion class, she became my anchor, a touchstone for calm and reason. I so admired and respected her. And I envied her - with a capital E.
Jane was married to a well-respected and well-love physician who obviously respected and loved Jane. Greeted her with open affection. Had a pet term of endearment. Touched her frequently. Listened attentively. Everything I had wanted in a husband, and didn't have.
One afternoon, sharing a glass of wine with them in their beautiful and comforting home, I confessed my envy. There was a quick glance between them, a smile, a nod. "Oh, honey, it hasn't always been this good." They then proceeded to give me a quick synopsis of the rocky road they had traveled to get to the state of wedded bliss I was privileged to observe.
A tumultuous road. Nearly divorcing three times until their grown children, weary of the perpetual angst, called for a family intervention - another term uncommon in the 70's!
Their message, their demand - figure out what it takes to be happy together or divorce and get on with life.
With the help of a good therapist, (I now picture Steve Carrell), Jane and Doc came to realize that they carried so much baggage because they had never learned to fight well. Oh, they "discussed" things, increasingly argued, but their arguments were never resolved to their mutual satisfaction. Usually, it seemed, to Doc's satisfaction. So, after almost 40 years of marriage, raising 4 children together, steeped in Quaker tradition, Doc and Jane learned to fight to a mutually safisfying conclusion.
By their accounts, they learned the hard way - by finishing the old arguments. Jane, with a twinkle in her eye, illustrated by pointing out the pock marked fireplace, bearing the battle scars of a complete set of dishes destroyed in a fit of frustration and with a dose of satisfaction. Left unrepaired to remind them of their commitment to be happy together. Whatever it took. Recalling that scene I still smill. I still sit in awe of that level of commitment.
Commitment is what I think "Hope Springs" is about. Not the humor conveyed in the publicity trailers. Although there are comedic moments, this is most definitely not a comedy.
Not even the sexual frustratrations of a long and increasingly unfulfilling marriage. Although the sexual difficulties are the emphasis of the movie, and heads up, there are a couple scenes that could be uncomfortable. At the heart of this drama is a couple who, like Doc and Jane make a commitment to finally learn how to be happy together. Whatever it takes.
So, I enjoyed "Hope Springs". I'm pretty sure not everyone would. It has, in fact, received mixed reviews. I doubt it will earn the amazing Meryl another Oscar nomination. But it is a courageous film, calling for vulnerability on the part of the cast and the audience. It is a mature film. Certainly thought provoking. Asking not what it takes just to stay married, but the level of commitment to be happily married.
And who knew that Tommie Lee Jones could be a romantic hero? Hope springs!
My attention was captured by the first trailer I saw. Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson - a cast of wonderful British actors in one film. I wondered, however, if it was a chick flick and an aging chick flick at that. Could I convince John to come with me - he who loves special effects and has difficulty understanding accents?
Fortunately, word-of-mouth endorsements have been building in our retirement community and I reminded him that he had enjoyed "Midnight in Paris". So we attended a Saturday matinee with perhaps a hundred other folks of our generation and, surprisingly, more than a few younger.
It was an appreciative audience, grateful I suspect to see performers of such depth and breadth depicting our generation, woefully neglected in the cinema, as capable of not only managing change, but generating it. Capable of healing the past and orchestrating an invigorating future. Riding a motorcycle through the teeming traffic of Jaipur? Looked pretty invigorating to me.
It is a sweet and compassionate film, presenting its characters - the elderly British and the young Indians - as well as India itself, with sensitivity and respect. (Judi Dench's character, Evelyn, easily could become a poster child for how to age with dignity).
So, whatever the critics and pundits may say about this film, we loved it as did that Saturday audience, youngsters included, who left smiling, chattering, many eager to tell friends and family they have to see it. I, for one, intend to see it again!
