Copying Beethoven

That Ed Harris actually makes a fairly convincing Ludwig van Beethoven is undoubtedly a testament to his ample abilities, and it’s his electrifying performance that keeps the viewer engaged throughout Copying Beethoven‘s admittedly erratic running time. Set in the days leading up to and following the first public performance of the Ninth Symphony, the movie revolves around Beethoven’s effort to break in comely new assistant Anna Holtz (Diane Kruger, who more than holds her own opposite Harris). Director Agnieszka Holland effectively infuses Copying Beethoven with a distinct feeling of authenticity, a vibe that’s cemented by the impressively low-key sets (the majority of the movie transpires within Beethoven’s shabby flat) and uniformly convincing supporting performances. And although there’s no real arc propelling the movie forward, there’s just something strangely compelling about the initially antagonistic relationship between Beethoven and Holtz. The film’s centerpiece – a truncated performance of the Ninth – is so impressive that everything that comes after kind of feels superfluous, but that’s a relatively minor complaint. And if nothing else, the entire movie may just be worth a look for the amazingly entertaining sequence in which Beethoven – after receiving a copy of Anna’s own symphony – mocks the girl by comedically playing her piece whilst blowing raspberrys.

*** out of ****