I purchased OUARTET because I am an avid Merchant-Ivory film fan; however, it is certainly not among their greatest period pieces. I found the plot mediocre, but remarkable performances by Isabelle Adjani and Maggie Smith, but Alan Bates seemed nit at his usual best. Beautifully filmed, lovely film score and the usual skilled cinematography, I rate QUARTET a minor classic, and not a masterpiece, yet it belongs in my film collection. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to a friend, but if my friend is a Merchant-Ivory fan and hasn't seen the movie, I'd recommend the film rented. If my friend enjoyed it, then it could be purchased, Enough said about QUARTET.