Soylent Green & Psycho did a better job of setting Beethoven's music to film than this, despite the fact that those films are about cannibals and a serial-killer. Perhaps I exaggerate but given that it had so much that going for it, the fact that this film is mediocre is a cinematic crime.
You have one of the most passionate and talented composers of all time, who goes deaf. His music is amongst the most moving pieces ever written. And his will contains a mysterious reference to his "Immortal Beloved". No Hollywood scriptwriter could not come up with a better story. There are fantastic visuals, great actors, great music and a plot line to hold it all together.
So where did it all go wrong?
I suspect that some compromises had to be made for the mass-market. In general the way Beethoven's music was used for the the score was badly done. Hearing snippets of his piano-concertos used as background seemed a little unfortunate. The emotional impact of the pieces is lost if the attention of the viewer is focused elsewhere. There are exceptions to this, the scene floating in the water for example. But there is so much more to Beethoven than symphonies 5 & 9. To people unfamiliar with his music, the film will provide an introduction of sorts and the music will still provide some impact. But to genuine fans of Beethoven's music, this may leave you unsatisfied.
You have one of the most passionate and talented composers of all time, who goes deaf. His music is amongst the most moving pieces ever written. And his will contains a mysterious reference to his "Immortal Beloved". No Hollywood scriptwriter could not come up with a better story. There are fantastic visuals, great actors, great music and a plot line to hold it all together.
So where did it all go wrong?
I suspect that some compromises had to be made for the mass-market. In general the way Beethoven's music was used for the the score was badly done. Hearing snippets of his piano-concertos used as background seemed a little unfortunate. The emotional impact of the pieces is lost if the attention of the viewer is focused elsewhere. There are exceptions to this, the scene floating in the water for example. But there is so much more to Beethoven than symphonies 5 & 9. To people unfamiliar with his music, the film will provide an introduction of sorts and the music will still provide some impact. But to genuine fans of Beethoven's music, this may leave you unsatisfied.