Quartet

The Observer“Hoffman's sensitivity as a director is evident...” Moving, amusing and truthful, the film is a modest, not unduly sentimental work that touches in a light but far from slight way on subjects that will eventually be faced by all of us...

The Independent“Nobody under the age of 25 will voluntarily watch Quartet...” Better than that other recent retirement comedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, but only in the way a touch of lumbago is better than shingles...

Time Out film“It’s a light, fruity film...” Hoffman draws endearing performances from his cast, and a host of supporting actors played by singers and musicians grounds its more farcical and rarefied elements in white-haired reality...

Financial Times“Endearing in a way, in another way excruciating...” Even Merchant Ivory, purveyors of cinematic porcelain to the gentry, would have hesitated over this particular tea set...

Little White Lies“Dead on arrival...” Frankly, it’s an inauspicious and somewhat anonymous effort that fails to evoke any of the charm Hoffman’s able to so effortlessly conjure when the lens is trained on him...

Empire“A pleasing watch for the Downton Abbey set...” A frothy and often charming directorial effort from Hoffman, his first in a Hollywood career that's spanned five decades, that will keep Downton fans happy...

Total Film “Its poignancy feeling honestly and legitimately generated...” As cozy as a mug of Horlicks inside an electric blanket, Hoffman’s film couldn’t offend if it tried. Age, however, has yet to wither its veterans’ undimmed star appeal...

The Telegraph“Dustin Hoffman has made with evident, bordering on gushing, love...” The actual story feels faintly beside the point, except as an excuse for Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins to trade barbs and reap their standing ovations, while supplying subtler, more bittersweet notes...

Evening Standard“A gentle hand with his ancient cast and a doting eye...” This movie makes a superb grande dame showcase and Maggie Smith seizes the opportunity, snubbing away and bringing down the house with the occasional perfectly enunciated obscenity...

Guardian“The high-school movie given a silver spin...” There's the odd flash of Haneke when Sissy struggles with senility, but this is essentially a view of old age that would cheer even the most pessimistic. Hoffman has delivered a love letter to the elderly thesps of his adoptive country...