A Late Quartet

When Peter Mitchell (Christopher Walken)—the oldest and most revered member of the Manhattan-based Fugue String Quartet—is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he decides that this will be his last season as their cellist. Since the chamber group have performed together for 25 years, the announcement of Peter's retirement comes as a shock to Daniel (Mark Ivanir), who plays first violin; Robert (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the second violinist; and Robert's wife, violist Juliette (Catherine Keener). Knowing that the dynamics of the ensemble will change with the arrival of a replacement, Robert declares that he's tired of second seat and would like to alternate in the more visible first chair. Robert's obvious resentment stuns Juliette and infuriates arrogant, controlling Daniel. Feeling hurt and rejected, Robert has a desperate one-night stand with a Spanish flamenco dancer and is left by Juliette after she discovers his betrayal. Complicating matters further is a budding May-December romance between Juliette's and Robert's talented 22-year-old daughter, Alexandra (Imogen Poots), and Daniel, her mentor. Skillfully directed by Yaron Zilberman, A Late Quartet offers a melancholy peek into the backstage life of classical musicians and the intertwining tensions of their professional and personal lives. All four actors took enough lessons to play short phrases; particularly convincing is Walken, who delivers a quiet, dignified, understated performance that is quite different from his usual bizarre characters. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the “making-of” featurette “Discord and Harmony” (8 min.). Bottom line: a small extras package for a solid film.] (S. Granger)