Movie Reviews

A Late Quartet with Philip Seymour Hoffman

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Written by Jonathan Jacobs

The Fugue Quartet is set to celebrate its twenty five year anniversary. The faction is world-recognized and is a mainstay at the famous Carnegie Hall in Manhattan. Unfortunately, on the heels of their forthcoming celebration, the founder of the group (played by Christopher Walken) is diagnosed with the early onset of Parkinson’s Disease. In all likelihood, he will be rendered unable to play, and if he plays, much of the precision and integrity of his abilities will be compromised. Being the noble sort, Walken decides to abdicate his throne as it were and choose his successor. Regrettably, at this critical moment in the lives of the four members of the Fugue Quartet, all of its members are at loggerheads if not profoundly hostile toward one another.

SPOILER ALERT ***

Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character has sacrificed his unique talent and desires for 25 years in order to celebrate his marriage and music with his wife. All the while, she (Catherine Keener) has acted aloof, distant, unaffectionate, cold, and lifeless as a spouse. Apparently, years before, she married Hoffman on account of their pregnancy. Prior to their marriage, she had indulged in an affair with the final member of the Quartet, Mark Ivanir. Ivanir is obsessed with himself, with his music, and with being the first violinist as opposed to Hoffman who has always been relegated to playing second fiddle if you will. Ivanir has fallen in love with his luscious student played by Imogen Poots. Poots is the daughter of Hoffman and Keener which complicates the quarreling between the four geniuses. Hoffman has a sordid affair after his wife sides against him in favor or Ivanir, her former lover. Driven to the edge, during a near ruinous night of passion, Hoffman fornicates with the steamy and dreamy Liraz Charhi.

Near the beginning of A Late Quartet, a title that has buried meanings as well as obvious overtones, Christopher Walken reminisces about Beethoven’s philosophies and musings on life, music and metaphors. While Beethoven’s wisdom is clear, the motivation behind the group's collective strife is recondite. Every individual is perfect together, but terribly flawed while apart. There is no “I” in team, but this group only thinks about itself. A Late Quartet indeed dear readers. This movie is a star waiting to shine in theaters across the world. Philip Seymour Hoffman is back and that headline is music to our ears.

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