Copying Beethoven - 9 stars out of 10

Copying Beethoven - 9 stars out of 10

"Copying Beethoven" is a fictional account of the premiere performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.  Although it takes some liberties with historical fact, it accomplishes its goal: a vivid portrayal of the man behind the music.  I believe that Ed Harris' interpretation of Beethoven is perfect.  Although his rough childhood shaped his infamous mean and grumpy exterior, I believe that he was just a misunderstood person seeking the love that he did not receive as a child.  Harris finds the perfect balance between brutish temper and playfulness through his interactions with the fictional Anna Holz, played by Diane Kruger.  It does bother me that in actuality, Beethoven could only communicate via notebooks at the time that he wrote the Ninth; however, I'm okay with the director's decision to give him communication abilities to help us better understand the daily difficulties of his life.  Kruger is lovely and spunky (as per her usual characterization), but I remember her the most for her devastation when Beethoven mocks her music.  I also really appreciated Joe Anderson's performance as Karl van Beethoven.  I love him in all of his roles, but he was particularly bratty and memorable as Beethoven's nephew.  The most stunning aspect of this film is its 12-minute long sequence of Beethoven conducting the Ninth with the aid of his assistant.  Even though you know that it isn't ACTUALLY him, there is something heartwarming and chilling about seeing Beethoven wildly conducting his masterpiece.  No piece is more deserving to have a film dedicated to its conception, and I can't imagine any other piece getting away with twelve straight minutes of its performance in the middle of a film.  The critics may have hated "Copying Beethoven" but I think that it is a great character piece about this mad composer who was so far ahead of his time that few listeners could truly appreciate him.