Quartet is tiring to watch. It is a film you want to like, enjoy and be inspired by, but despite its wonderful cast, it just drags on and on. The aging actors try a little too hard to look their age, and then some, and after one too many senile jokes and very little development in terms of plot, one is left terrified of ever wanting to retire. The film was written by Ronald Harwood, based on his play of the same title, and directed by Dustin Hoffman - his a directorial debut. It starts a talented cast which includes Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins.