Quartet is a genteel anthology of short films that are book-ended by the author Somerset Maugham whose stories the films are based on.
The first film is rather light and fun. 'The Facts Of Life' is about a father recounting the tale of his son going off to Monte Carlo to take part in a tennis tournament. His father tells him to be careful and not to gamble and avoid women. He ends up winning at the gambling table, has luck with the ladies and avoids getting robbed by a con woman.
The second story is rather dark. 'The Alien Corn' has Dirk Bogarde who wants to be a concert pianist rather than a country gent managing the family estate. A renowned piano teacher hears him play but tells him that although he is competent, he lacks passion. When he asks her to play for him, maybe he realises what her words really meant. The tale ends tragically.
The third is a rather offbeat story of married bliss. 'The Kite' stars George Cole who is a kite enthusiast but this does not sit well with his new wife who regards it as kids stuff. It actually drives a wedge between him and his parents. His mother in turn tries to drive Cole away from his wife.
The last episode is the best. 'The Colonel's Lady' is about a pompous military man who finds out that the little book of poetry his wife has written becomes a literary sensation of hidden passion and lust. Even his mistress raves about it. The colonel discovers the man he once used to be.
It does all look a bit middle class and bland nowadays, with some pompous old fashioned parents who seem oblivious that they are in the middle of the 20th century.
The first film is rather light and fun. 'The Facts Of Life' is about a father recounting the tale of his son going off to Monte Carlo to take part in a tennis tournament. His father tells him to be careful and not to gamble and avoid women. He ends up winning at the gambling table, has luck with the ladies and avoids getting robbed by a con woman.
The second story is rather dark. 'The Alien Corn' has Dirk Bogarde who wants to be a concert pianist rather than a country gent managing the family estate. A renowned piano teacher hears him play but tells him that although he is competent, he lacks passion. When he asks her to play for him, maybe he realises what her words really meant. The tale ends tragically.
The third is a rather offbeat story of married bliss. 'The Kite' stars George Cole who is a kite enthusiast but this does not sit well with his new wife who regards it as kids stuff. It actually drives a wedge between him and his parents. His mother in turn tries to drive Cole away from his wife.
The last episode is the best. 'The Colonel's Lady' is about a pompous military man who finds out that the little book of poetry his wife has written becomes a literary sensation of hidden passion and lust. Even his mistress raves about it. The colonel discovers the man he once used to be.
It does all look a bit middle class and bland nowadays, with some pompous old fashioned parents who seem oblivious that they are in the middle of the 20th century.