The Sunrise Theater will show "The Late Quartet," a "shining gem of a movie," from Thursday, Nov. 29, through Monday, Dec. 3.

The drama focuses on an elite New York string quartet about to perform their 25th anniversary concert - which may be their last. The group's future hangs in the balance with high-strung emotions, competing egos and personal upheavals that threaten to derail years of friendship and musical collaboration.

The members of the Fugue String Quartet are played brilliantly by exceptional actors. The beloved cellist of the group, played by Christopher Walken, learns he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's, a progressive, debilitating disease. Philip Seymour Hoffman is Robert, the second violinist, who aspires to share the chair occupied by the group's first violinist, Daniel (Mark Ivanir).

When Hoffman's character is professionally disparaged by his wife (Catherine Keener), his anger leads him to infidelity. This becomes yet another source of contention for the musicians, since Keener's character is the fourth member of the quartet.

But the one bond among the group centers on their talent and passion for the music. In concert they must put aside their disagreements to work toward a common goal of seamless unity. In playing Beethoven's Quartet in C sharp minor - the Opus 31 - the piece must be played without a pause, and the musicians must play, feel and breathe as one.

Rolling Stone Magazine reports that "Director Yaron Zilberman and co-writer Seth Grossman have tuned their film with the skill of the quartet at the heart of their story ... we watch a dysfunctional family of artists begin to implode. We hear music, mostly performed by the Brentano String Quartet, that seems to be heaven sent."

Rated R for sexual situations and some strong language, "The Late Quartet" lasts 105 minutes and will play weekdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $7, with a $1 suggested donation toward the new projection system.

Freshly popped corn and assorted beverages, including beer and wine, are available. The Sunrise Theater is located at 250 NW Broad Street in Southern Pines.

For more information, call (910) 692-8508.