Copying Beethoven (2006)
Genre: Drama / Music
Duration: 104 minuten
Country:
United States / Germany / Hungary
Directed by: Agnieszka Holland
Stars: Ed Harris, Diane Kruger and Matthew Goode
IMDb score:
6,7 (14.440)
Releasedate: 10 September 2006
Copying Beethoven plot
April, 1824. Just before the premiere of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, he gets into an argument with his assistant Schlemmer, who then leaves. Beethoven tells the Vienna Conservatory to send their most accomplished student to help him prepare the symphony. The conservatory sends Anna Holtz to work with him and inspire some of his later world-famous pieces.
Actors and actresses
Ludwig van Beethoven
Anna Holtz
Martin Bauer
Mother Canisius
Wenzel Schlemmer
Rudy
Krenski
Magda
Old Woman
Stefan Holtz
Reviews & comments
J.Ch.
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- 541 messages
- 744 votes
I don't really care that Copying Beethoven isn't exactly historically accurate—the film doesn't claim to be either. My problem with this film is that I don't know its purpose. Is it about a female composer thwarted by the men around her? Is it about Beethoven, with his difficult character and deep-seated loneliness? Is it about the relationship between them? Is it about the relationship between the composer and his reluctant nephew? Or is it perhaps 'simply' about music? Now, I wouldn't have minded if the film had been about all these things, except that none of them were satisfactorily developed. Incidentally, a lot was cut during the editing process; when I watched the deleted scenes, several storylines were suddenly nicely wrapped up. It's a strange choice; the film wasn't long at all, so surely deleting it wasn't necessary? The story suffers greatly as a result.
Ed Harris does a decent job as Ludwig van Beethoven. His character is a bit vague and unapproachable, but I think that's how it should be. Diane Kruger is as beautiful as ever, but her character is a bit flat, as is her acting. Incidentally, she shines better with the deleted scenes, as does Matthew Goode (I would have liked to see much more of him).
The film is at times funny and at times brilliant. The performance of the Ninth Symphony is, of course, a goosebump-inducing moment, well-acted by Harris and fantastically performed. The sets and costumes also look very good. One scene that, in my opinion, completely missed the mark was the "washing scene." I have no idea what that was supposed to convey, but above all, I found it very uncomfortable to watch.
Overall, I found the film somewhat unsatisfying, but with enough positive points to still give it a passing grade. Three stars.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Stephan
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- 7895 messages
- 1387 votes
"I'm a very difficult person, but I take comfort in the fact that God made me that way"
Very strong at times with an excellent atmosphere of the time and of course the music.
Unfortunately, only the more familiar pieces are being performed again. Why not the brilliant Missa Solemnis?
Furthermore, it borrows heavily from Amadeus (which of course is qualitatively miles apart from this film).
But on the other hand, there is Beethoven's brilliant music and despite the many clichés, the relationship between Ludwig and Anna really appealed to me.
Translated from Dutch · View original
tommykonijn
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- 5153 messages
- 2366 votes
A great film about the relationship between Beethoven and Anna Holtz. It's largely saved by the excellent acting of Diane Krueger and Ed Harris, and one breathtaking scene: the concert. There are also some moments where it moves along a bit, though it never becomes truly tedious. Sufficient attention is paid to costumes and backgrounds, and the music is, of course, beautiful.
3*
Translated from Dutch · View original
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