The Way I See It
The shipyard painter, political activist and razor-sharp cartoonist Bob Starrett has just written a new book The Way I See It on his eventful life and times. Below we reprint one of his stories and review an essential read
La Boheme
ENO's production of La Boheme is a triumph,
Quartet (15)
Directed by Dustin Hoffman
Thursday 20 December 2012
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EmailThey say it is never too late to try something new and at the tender age of 75 Hollywood star Dustin Hoffman has finally made his directorial debut.
This bitter-sweet comedy drama about four retired opera singers is sublime and a testament to Hoffman's fine directing skills and his dream British cast.
Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Maggie Smith and Pauline Collins are a joy to watch as the members of the quartet who reside at a home for former opera singers and musicians.
Many of the residents are portrayed by real life ex-singers and performers who deliver virtuoso cameos.
Hoffman circumvents his main cast's operatic shortcomings with ingenuity and aplomb.
This is a film about the stresses and hardships of growing old but with the resounding message that just because you are elderly does not mean you are past it or should be laid out to pasture.
It is so good to see a smart, insightful and entertaining film aimed for once at an older cinema audience.
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