Review of Copying Beethoven (2006) by Angie L — 06 Jul 2007

This movie was in a very low priority on my list ? just because during the trailers I found Ed Harris portraying Beethoven a bit over the top. But with spare time, I went to see the movie at our Pathe Tushinski hall in Amsterdam.

I read the reviews in IMDb and most of the people who have hated the movie are real knowledgeable fans of Beethoven?s music. Sadly I am not at all knowledgeable about Beethovan! So let?s see what is there in store for me.

The movie is about last few weeks in the life of Beethoven (Ed Harris), who is in this ninth ? symphony composition. In search of an able person who can copy his musical notes ? he gets Ms.Anna Holtz (Diane Kruger) ? a brilliant music student. After a few interactions ? they develop a mutual bond between each-other and Anna helps Beethoven to orchestrate his last symphony. The movie does not end there ? but continues for another half an hour into both of them coming closer to each other, sharing touching moments. Anna remains is besides Beethoven during his last breathe.

For people who do not know much about Beethoven as a person, this is a good sort of exposure. Beethoven?s portrayal has been sincerely given by Ed Harris ? but to pick him for this role, I felt was a poor casting. Ed Harris captures the weirdness, craziness of Beethovan?s character ? but is not able to fully justify his selection ? he misses the heart of Beethoven.

Diane Kruger, looks magical ? but her acting and characterization lacks depth. The story is too dramatical ? or let me say dramatized, as if picked up from a stage play. The award winning Director Agnieszka Holland fails in her core competency as writer of the movie. The musical score of the movie is very good.

The pick of the movie is the 30 minutes live and actual presentation of the last symphony of Beethovan. It is just enthralling and fantastic. Also the last 30 minutes of the movie lift the movie a bit from its one dimensional script.

I would say that people of Vienna where Beethoven actually lived in early 1800 ? could be interested to see their maestro once again come live on the screen.

(Stars 6.5 out of 10).