The members of a world-renowned string quartet who have performed together for 25 years struggle to adjust when their seasoned cellist, Peter (Christopher Walken), learns he has Parkinson's disease and is therefore retiring.
Meanwhile, Robert (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who can't stand playing second fiddle to first violinist David (Mark Ivanir) any longer, has an affair with a dancer, putting his marriage to violist Juliette (Catherine Keener) in jeopardy.
To top things off, Daniel falls in love with Robert and Juliette's beautiful young daughter Alexandra (Imogen Poots), also a talented violinist.
Overall, a good movie showing the entanglement of four people through their lifetime musical passion.However, though the conflict situations clearly evolve triggered by the illness of the oldest member of the group it is not quite clear how the group got harmoniously together at the end despite all tensions and arguments.
Beautiful movie involving exquisite music and complex characters, all affected by choices made in their individual careers and life commitments. Enjoyed the subtle and dramatic revelations of the story accompanied by music of the masters.