Performance (A Late Quartet)

'A Late Quartet' has been released in Australia under the title 'Performance' apparently to avoid any confusion with the recent British release 'Quartet'.

The leader of a string quartet tells his colleagues he has to retire for health reasons after twenty five years of their partnership. This development triggers a reappraisal of relationships and stirs up emotions.

'Performance' is set in New York but this is not the city of Manhattan skylines. Often, but not always wintery in appearance, this is the city of art and values and of passions bubbling beneath the veneer of quiet civility.

What raises this film above the average is the fine ensemble acting especially from its four leads, Christopher Walken, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener and Mark Ivanir each of whom delivers an outstanding acting master class.

★★★★