TIFF Red Carpet: Dustin Hoffman hugs everyone at the premiere of Quartet

By Monika Warzecha | September 11, 2012

By Monika Warzecha | 09/11/2012

We admit that Quartet, Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut, totally sounds like the kind of movie you’d take your grandma to for a Saturday matinee: after all, it focuses on a retirement home for musical old folks. Still, the predominantly silver-haired cast is full of impressive film veterans. Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey’s beloved (and behatted) Dowager Countess, stars in the film as an opera diva fallen on hard times. She walked the red carpet on Sunday in head-to-toe black, save for a few bold flowers printed on her wrap-style top. For his part, Hoffman must be the most affectionate auteur in the history of directors: he was spotted hugging and smooching cast members Pauline Collins, Billy Connolly and Smith at the Elgin Theatre premiere. With his shoulder-length hair and white-and-black necklace, Connolly managed to look more rock ’n’ roll than youngster Aaron Paul, who showed up wearing a darling, grandpa-esque bow tie.