Today's Hot Trailer: Dustin Hoffman Goes to England for Directorial Debut Quartet
Posted 10.30.12 by Ryan
"This isn't a retirement home. It's a madhouse."
Academy Award–winner Dustin Hoffman (Kramer vs. Kramer, Rain Man) is clearly an actor who has always had a desire to direct. He almost made his debut behind the camera with 1978's Straight Time, but opted instead to just act in the movie. Since then he has directed theater and produced television, and it shouldn't be too surprising that Hoffman is finally making his debut as a movie director with Quartet.
Based on the play of the same name Ronald Harwood (The Dresser, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Quartet stars Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey), Michael Gambon (Harry Potter) and Billy Connolly (Brave) as denizens of a retirement home for musicians, which puts on an annual which is put in question when Jean (Smith) arrives at the home. The movie's first trailer has just arrived online, and reveals a light, comedic tone in what looks like a heartwarming story that is set to open in time for Oscar consideration. Fans of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (which also starred Smith) take note.
The latest in Trailers Saturdays 10:00a ET / 7:00a PT
While Quartet won't open until December 28th (in limited release before expanding in January), the movie already debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival last month to good reviews. THR called it a "charming tale... filled with humor, caring, and of course great music," and HitFix said it is a "very solid directorial effort... [Hoffman] clearly has an eye for what works on the big screen."
Here's another look at the movie from a preview clip, which sees Jean get a frosty reception from her ex-husband Reg (Tom Courtenay).
Harwood adapted the script for Quartet, which co-stars Pauline Collins (Albert Nobbs) and Sheridan Smith (Hysteria).