Everywhere I look, I see old couples.
I guess as a 42 year old, the young no longer catch me eyes (except when they decide to go walkabout without adult supervision)) . I love teaching them and corrupting their bright fresh minds, but it’s the 80 year old holding hands as they board aircrafts and sit next to me that I am getting really fond of. The care with which they buy beverages and meals for each other; the comfort they get in each other’s company without really trying.
On the flight from Chicago, these two grandparents alternated between crosswords and catnaps. If you saw them on your flight, you would notice their bad knees and 
cropped white hair but you would forget everything when they look at each other – eyes alive with life and affection. I felt there was enough love in the two seats next to me for hundred eighty passengers sharing the ride to New York, LaGuardia.
So it was no wonder that the Quartet stood out as a movie that I should at least try and watch on my next long haul Emirates departure. I have always been a big fan of Billy Connolly and nobody’s really made a halfway decent movie about old couples (that I have managed to watch) since Cocoon came out in 1989. RED doesn’t count since unlike Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman will never ever turn old.
I think you should too. But let me warn you, you will embarrass yourself. I did.
Only if you believe it is embarrassing for a 42 year old to bawl in the middle of the decks, with no place to hide, in bright daylight. The last time I did that was with Temple Grandin, on another long haul slog to Singapore.
What makes a great movie? Go and watch Quartet and you will find out. It’s not the plot (simple), it’s not the actors (they are all lovable), it is not the director (Dustin Hoffman), nor the script (witty). It’s all of them working together to create a touching 90 minutes.
A bit of friendly advice, take a box of tissues with you.
Maggie Smith (Harry Potter), Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins, Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Andrew Sachs (Faulty Towers) & Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter) will punch a few well placed holes in your heart side by side by a soundtrack that you will have to purchase when you land in your nearest duty free shop.
“Darling girl, you still have your future”
“There not a lot of it, most of its been”