Rating: 
Summary: Music and psychology...
Review: What a waste of good music and good actors for such a depressingly melodramatic, sentimental and ridiculous movie( the plot! - the story line! - this undelicat attempt to reduce art to a product of pathology...). It's not a movie in defense of Beethoven, inspiring admiration for him, but an insult to him and to every thinking viewer and/or artist. Unforgettable the scene where they have a walk in a "Viennese" park while there's towering the Hradschin in Prague in the background - that's not just superficial, it's cheap and offending. No, there's nothing to compare with such great cineastic approaches to the miracle of genius like "Amadeus", "Caravaggio", "8 1/2", etc.etc.; no, it's much more in one line with "Farinelli", "Wilde", "Impromptu", "Shakespeare in love" and other silly "Great-artists-wearing-fabulous-shiny-clothes-and-funny-whigs-surrounded-by-antique-furniture" - movies. It's an artisans work one may admire here: he tried to be convincing in recreating a past environment "around 1800" for naive viewers unacquainted with this world (gosh, these dull, i.e. unnecessary german accents - reminds me of the silly czech accents in "The unbearable lightness of being"!) while neglecting completely the interiors of the people - they talk, think, love and suffer like neurotic avarage moviegoers of the late 20th century, well: it's an unbearable banalisation of a complex life and an even more complex creative mind, it's pure marketing, Beethoven meets Jane Austen, Amadeus rents a Room with a view. Brief: one of the worst movies I've ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: "GARY VAN OLDMAN"
Review: ... This is a serious look inside the greatest composer. The music, acting, cinematogrphy, wardrobe, circa, directing was right on the money. This was not a biography movie piece but a look inside of a genius. I would recommend this movie over the overrated comical movie Amadeus.
Rating: 
Summary: Marriage of the man, the music, the mystery.
Review: Lovers of classical music and of mystery are going to love this one. The "immortal beloved" mystery has baffled Beethoven scholars since his death. Beethoven lived his life alone, but among the correspondence discovered after his death is a letter to an unknown "immortal beloved." There is still no agreement about the identify of this unnamed personage to whom Beethoven wrote "I can only live completely with you or not at all". But it is the enigma behind this letter that forms the basis for the movie, and the story-line offers one solution to the mystery. The story begins with Beethoven's death in 1827, when his personal secretary Anton Schindler discovers the mysterious letter, and undertakes a mission to uncover the identify of Beethoven's secret love, and so fulfil his dying wish and give her what was rightfully hers. As he proceeds with his investigation, viewers are treated to a series of flashbacks which take us back to moments in Beethoven's life, and the three women who knew him best. At this point the mystery becomes an excuse to go beyond the public Beethoven into the private Beethoven, his more difficult side. With Gary Oldman contributing a remarkable performance as the eccentric Beethoven, we are shown how in reality Beethoven was a difficult problematic human being, and we receive a window into his struggle with deafness. The other characters all play inferior roles and their acting is not outstanding, but Oldman more than makes up for that. This part of the movie is brilliantly done, and there is a real sense of the frustration caused by his deafness. In the end, the "immortal beloved" mystery is "solved". The producer offers a very unlikely solution, but a creative and satisfying one. But ultimately the mystery falls to the background and the man and his music receive center stage. This movie may not be a lasting contribution to Beethoven scholarship, but it certainly is a contribution to an appreciation of his music. The soundtrack, naturally, is pure Beethoven. And not shoddy performances or recordings either - we are treated to the London Symphony Orchestra, and soloists such as Murray Perahia and Yo-Yo Ma. But it's not a normal soundtrack where the music was composed to fit the picture. Here the reverse is true: the picture was composed to fit the music. As a result, scenes are wonderfully choreographed to the music, with scenes of romance, anger and war perfectly matched to Beethoven's mood music. By placing his music in the context of a life, even if that life is partly fictional, Beethoven's music has even more power and passion. It's a real treat for lovers of Beethoven's music, for not only is the music brilliantly played and meshed with the plot, but there are some delightful philosophical observations about the power of music. At one point Beethoven observes: "It is the power of music to carry one directly into the mental state of the composer. The listener has no choice. It is like hypnotism." He then challenges the listener: "What was I thinking when I wrote that?" Of course every individual will imagine their own picture, but he gives the example describing a man trying to reach his lover, his carriage wheels bogged in the mud "This is the sound of his agitation." The idea is brilliant, and even if listeners today may have vastly different interpretations of what the composer was thinking, their listening experience is enriched by the idea. Be aware that the movie contains several adult themes, including a scene involving brief nudity, violent child abuse, the suggestion of rape, a fist fight, contemplation of suicide, and a war scene. The suggestion of immorality, however, is not endorsed, because viewers are not encouraged to become like Beethoven, but merely to understand him. In the end, it's a good marriage of mystery, the man, and music. It's not all outstanding and the love story is somewhat overdone and implausible, but the rest of the movie makes it worthwhile. The mystery has a good twist in the end, and the portrayal of Beethoven the man is unforgettable. And even if even if you disagree with what "Immortal Beloved" says about the man, you can't argue with the passion of the music is portrays. Discard the historical inaccuracies, and just enjoy it for the music and its passion. Along with Oldman, the real star of this movie is the music itself.
Rating:
Summary: A Splendid Intro To Beethoven, A Great Film
Review: As Amadeus was a great introduction to Mozart's music, Immortal Beloved is an incredible introduction to Beethoven's music, besides being quality drama. In much the same way, it also serves as a fine historic insight on Beethoven's life and career in music. Although there has to be alterations of the truth, for the most part, Beethoven's long-suffering life and genius are masterfully portrayed. The focus of the movie, embellished by Beethoven's greatest instrumental works, is the secret identity of the "Immortal Beloved", an enigmatic woman for whom Beethoven wrote incredibly passionate letters. It is up to the viewer to decide which of the three women Beethoven was involved with is his Immortal Beloved, each woman striking in her own character, especially the Countess, played by Isabella Rossalini. The score is all Beethoven an appropriate for the scenes. The film is lush and visually stimulating, Vienna ballrooms and palaces, the wide boulevards, the secluded gardens in a villa, the concert halls and Beethoven's music studio. The opening music, as Beethoven's funeral is under progress, is his Kyrie from Missa Solemnis, a profoundly moving choral work. The Moonlight Sonata is played when Beethoven buries his head over his piano and broods in sadness, the Kreutzer Sonata is played as Beethoven's coach speeds on a highway in the middle of a rainstorm, Beethoven's 3rd symphony as Beethoven talks about his music to his brother's sister, Beethoven's 9th symphony, with the thrilling chorus "Ode To Joy" as Beethoven reminisces about his hard-knock life as a boy and must deal with his deafness, and finally, the Fifth Piano Concerto, called the "Emperor concerto" as the final credits roll. Quality film, striking cinema, fine performances by Gary Oldman and Isabella Rossalini, and the most beautiful music ever to grace the screen. Five stars. Check this excellent DVD out and the soundtrack which is also available at Amazon.com. It is without a question a great intro to Beethoven.
Rating:
Summary: Best Video on Beethoven
Review: This is the most excellent Beethoven movie I have seen you if you like Beethoven and the story of his life I recommend this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Rotten, awful, slanderous
Review: This is nothing more than a film about a guy named Beethoven who happened to live at the same time and in the same place as the composer. Please don't let this movie be the source of your image of the great composer. The "Beethoven" in this film is a characature of the real man. It's obvious that historical fact wasn't a concern while making this movie. The writer and director had a story that they wanted to tell and never worried once about the truth of their story. If Beethoven were alive today he would have excellent grounds for a lawsuit. I recommend "Beethoven Lives Upstairs", while based on a fictional encounter between Beethoven and a young boy, at least serves as portrait of the composer consistent with historical accounts. At least the film Amadeus had a good literary excuse for the liscense it took with Mozart's life. Not this film. I recommend a good book or two on the composer instead. "Thayer's Life of Beethoven" and another book, whose title escapes me, but something along the lines of "Beethoven, recollections by his contemporaries (published by Dover books). Pass on this movie !!!
Rating:
Summary: The Music Is The Story
Review: This review refers to the Special Eition DVD (Columbia) of this film
The "Maestro" has died. It is a sad day in Vienna. But the question remains, who will inherit the estate of Ludwig Von Beethoven? His surviving brother believes he is entitled to it all. Is he? A letter is found amongst Beethoven's papers bequeathing everything to the addressee. It is addressed only to "My Immortal Beloved". Beethoven's freind and confidante Anton Schindler makes it his duty to find the woman, the maestro has kept secret all these years.
As Schindler combs all of Eastern Europe searching for the mystery woman, the story of Beethoven's life unfolds, as at each stop,Schindler and the women in question exchange their experiences and what they know. We learn of how the world learned of his deafness, of his abusive childhood at the hands of his father, his relationship with these women, his hatred for his brother's wife, his adoration for his nephew Carl, and of his dark temperment.
Throughout the film, there is always the music of Beethoven. The music seems to fit the exact emotion that he is experiencing. Love, saddness, anguish, ravages of war,freedom. It is as though the music is telling the story of his life. You don't have to be a Beethoven afficianado to appreciate this. As a matter of fact this film is an excellent introduction to the music of Beethoven.The scene depicted while his 9th symphony(Ode to Joy) is playing is sheer pleasure to all the senses. Be sure to have a box of tissues ready for the end!
The music of course stands on it's own, and the cast is incredible in their portrayals. Gary Oldman IS Beethoven, Jeroen Krabbe(The Fugituve, No Mercy) is Schindler. As the women in Beethoven's life there is Isabella Rossellini, Valeria Golina(Rainman), and Johanna Ter Steege. Director Bernard Rose does an excellent job of taking us back to this time in history. The photography is breathtaking also.
What a great DVD it is. Well worth having. The 5.1 digitally remastered score is wonderful(You have the choice of 2.0 also) Dialouge crisp. Picture in Anamorphic Widescreen is sharp, colors are bright. Great Special features too. There is a documentary, and you can listen to director Rose's commentary during the film (this is best after the first viewing),he talks about everything from what is actually true, to the style of clothing worn during this period. There are also subtitles in English and Spanish and some production notes.
Film fan or Music fan you will watch this over and over....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: Gary Oldman **IS** Beethoven
Review: Gary Oldman **IS** Beethoven.
I loved this film. The acting, the music, the story.
It is one of my 3 most favorite films of all time.
Rating:
Summary: My all-time favorite movie
Review: A longtime (20 years) Beethoven fan, I was very sad I missed this on the big screen and happened upon it in the video store shortly after its release. The first night I saw it, I loved it completely. Being familiar with the music is not necessary as the setting of the film as the music is played is enough to immerse you in this wonderful film. The plot, suspense, music, acting, environment and even the German accents in the words spoken give a truly amazing feel that you are there. I found the idea for the progression of this movie about Beethoven's "Immortal Beloved" well thought out (based on some of the readings I have done speculating on the possible love in Beethoven's life), and superbly put to film. Oldman is simply astounding and the supporting cast fantastic. It is a must see for Beethoven fans, classical music fans...and certainly for those romantics out there. It will truly tug at your heart.
Rating:
Summary: symphonized
Review: I truly enjoyed it. The music is great and if you like classical music you'll love it. Every Gary Oldman movie I've seen I enjoyed. Even though the story is fictional it keeps you interested throughout. I truly recommend it.
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