Copying Beethoven
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Movie Reviews of Copying Beethoven
Movie Review: Historical fiction it may be... great music transcends it all
Summary: 4 Stars
It's not a documentary, and I doubt it attempts to be. Purists who have an encyclopedic knowledge of Beethoven's last years may find it hard to swallow, but it's a moving piece of film art which is in no small effort attributed to the music.
That the director and screen-playwright had certain agendas up their sleeves is nothing subliminal. It's afterall, a pro-feminist inquiry into an oft male-dominated territory and what more excitement to pit perhaps the greatest male composer who ever lived (and perhaps one of the most staunchly chauvinistic, though references have to be sought here) with an imaginary muse.
That Beethoven had many female muses throughout his life is known to most who know and have heard his music. "Fur Elise" is a case in point that requires no further elaboration.
The case here with Anna Holtz is a little different. In the film she does not challenge the titanic proportions of Beethoven's genius, but shares a glimpse of it through her daily interactions with him.
That she is really capable of doing so needs much more convincing (in lieu of her less-than-professional conducting, her decidedly facile compositions), but the merits of the show are still quite aplenty to cover whatever weaknesses in terms of credibility.
The show is an endearing caricature of Beethoven and the exploration of humanity that tries often to reconcile the man and the music. Anna is but a foil in the entire epic.
Ed Harris is quite irresistable as Beethoven. Diane Kruger is somewhat mild and unjustifiably put at a disadvantage by the fictitiousness of her character but she is, by and large, a competent actress and her role was emphatic not to say the least.
The period dressing was a little anachronistic for the ladies of the 1820s (backdated by about a decade); the men's were quite excellent (coloured, patterned cravats starting to become de rigeur) and Harris' wig quite very believable.
The scope is more focused than in Immortal Beloved; Harris' Beethoven is more lovable and though the ending was quite abrupt, I would recommend this film to those who are not familiar to Beethoven beyond his 9th, and even more so for people who have, before-hand, known that the entire character of Anna Holtz is pure myth, though a myth with a moral behind it.
Movie Review: Fun bit of modern myth-making
Summary: 4 Stars
Every good myth starts with a foundation of fact and some vastly powerful being or beings - in this case, Beethoven fills both roles. Then the mythmaker adds some fictional elements to set the story in motion - here, Anna Holtz does the job. Finally, the story requires drama. Could anything be more dramatic than the birth of Beethoven's sublime Ninth Symphony? Throw in some very fine actors, including Ed Harris in the title role (he also starrd in Pollock), and a good movie becomes almost unavoidable.
Anna enters the scene as an eager student, the best of her composition intructor's recent crop. Her job, as copyist, is to take the maestro's rough notes (musical nots, in this case), and transcribe them into final form. In this story, she's no mere scribe, but Beethoven's partner and intellectual soul-mate. You could call this a romance story of the most chaste and intellectual kind, but intimate nonetheless.
Beethoven comes across as fiercely driven, fiercely egotistical, and just plain fierce. Holtz's delicate beauty tames that "beast", as he was termed early on. That feat came about more through her own strength and artistic skill than through her comeliness, though. I enjoyed seeing the fictional Holtz in a strong role, as improbable as it might historically have been. If you don't mind Beethoven the man being co-opted into a fictional setting that rewrites a few of his historical facts, this movie offers plenty to enjoy.
-- wiredweird
Movie Review: "I Heard It Just The Way You Do" ~ Embracing The Silence Between The Notes
Summary: 4 Stars
`Copying Beethoven' released in '06 is a thought provoking and somewhat contemplative exploration into the soul of one of the greatest composers of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven. While director Aqnieszka Holland fails in matching the emotional impact and visual grandeur of `Amadeus' or capturing the poetic nuances and exquisite melancholy of `Modigliani' it does succeed in providing the viewer with an insightful look into the sometimes tender, more often times volatile relationship between the musical genius and his copyist and muse Anna Holtz.
Ed Harris and Diane Kruger are magical together in the starring roles of Ludwig and Anna and it's a good thing they are because they literally are the movie. Fortunately their on-screen chemistry is successful and observing their relationship as it grows deeper and more profound is a joy to behold.
`Copying Beethoven' is a story of genius, isolation, longing and relationship with a subtle thread of spirituality intertwined throughout examining the nature of God and the ultimate meaning of life. Recommended viewing.
Movie Review: A Valuable View Of A Genius
Summary: 4 Stars
The writers and producers of this movie worked hard to imbed informative nuances (such as his directing style) into this production. I loved the music, and enjoyed the portrayals. The presentation of the actual Ninth Symphony was amazing. It made me feel the tension within the orchestra like I was holding an Oboe and was waiting to play just the hand full of notes comprising my part. The opulence of the audience looked appropriate for that Age of Style. Anna's emotions during her faux-conducting made it look like someone within a labor of love.
The movie material after the Ninth was I presume felt to be necessary but I did not find it pleasing.
Still, as a window into Beethoven, and as a unique view from within the orchestra, this is a good movie.
Movie Review: enjoyable music
Summary: 4 Stars
23-year old Anna Holtz (Diane Kruger) studies at the music conservatory and lives in a convent. She is recommended for a position, and ends up working beside Ludwig van Beethoven (Ed Harris). With him, she will be inspired and will come to understand him and his music.
Ed Harris is quite an actor, has always been, and playing this great musician certainly displays all his talent. Diane Kruger is pretty and the role suits her well.
The script was decent enough and the cinematography acceptable. The music was of course brilliant.
Quite well done, this is definitely a movie for those who enjoy classical music. Or at least period films.