Immortal Beloved

Rating:
Summary: Beethoven deserves better
Review: The person who defends this movie by saying "it's not a documentary" and likening it to Amadeus has it wrong - Amadeus was a big, sumptuous, blockbuster movie that celebrated and totally captured the spirit and style of Mozart, with an exquisite, evocative performance by Tom Hulce as its centerpiece. This movie, by contrast, is insignificant, trivial and the real story is far more interesting than the kitschy fable portrayed on film. We learn next to nothing about Beethoven the man, and he comes across as basically some pathetic weirdo. Now granted, Beethoven was a truly peculiar fellow; I am not trying to deny that. But I have read several biographies, many letters and conversation books, and played many piano sonatas and I know that there is much more to Beethoven than the tortured ogre portrayed in this film. It is caricature, and Gary Oldman probably should not be blamed, as this is how the character appears to be written. It's an entertaining film as far as it goes, but definitely not Beethoven's "Amadeus." That is still to come. I'm writing it. Wish me luck :)

Rating:
Summary: Perfect
Review: This is one of my favorite movies. You will fall in love with the romance of Beethoven played wonderfully by Gary Oldman. This look into Beethoven's soul, whether the story is true or not, is hypnotisingly beautiful. If you love Beeethoven as I do, it will make you love him even more. Beethoven was not a crude monster like a lot of history books say he was. He was a genius, who was tormented by the fact he wasn't a perfect child prodigy like Mozart was. Also, it was frustrating beyond belief to become deaf at such an early age, in the prime of his career, and not be able to hear the beautiful music he was making. It wasn't the story about the search for his beloved I found myself following, it was the story of his personal turmoil, triumphs, and trivails. Gary Oldman was a perfect Beethoven, he had enough torment and sex appeal to attract me to his character. If you don't own this you should!!

Rating:
Summary: Gary Oldman Makes this Film Work
Review: Film biographies of great musicians are nothing if not a mixed bag. Of course the sound tracks are nearly always excellent, but the plots range from good (occasionally) to abominable (all too often). Milos Foreman's Amadeus demonstrates the former, while a host of films, worst of all Ken Russell's The Music Lovers (Tchaikovsky) bring up the rear. Immortal Beloved might be only a small bit better, in spite of an interesting plot, except for one outstanding factor. Gary Oldman's portrayal of Beethoven is wonderful. Oldman is one of those actors who lack's the name recognition that he deserves because he acts so well that only his character is memorable. In Immortal, he brings an exceptional force to Beethoven as a man past his brilliant prime and at the very limit of rationality. When one sees the power yet subtlety he uses in doing so, it's difficult to forget how inferior most film acting is today by comparison. I recommend the film heartily for that reason alone.

Rating:
Summary: In the Tradition of Amadeus
Review: Like Milos Forman's Amadeus, Immortal Beloved is a film that looks into the possible true life of the composer; in this case the last events of his life and the mysterious letter addressed to his Immortal Beloved. Beethoven did in fact address such a letter and will to a mystery woman. His brother undergoes an extensive investigation. He follows Beethoven's career through flashbacks discussing Beethoven with Isabella Rosselini (the Countess) and a former lover of Beethoven, and through his brother's beautiful fiancee and later wife, to whom Beethoven also loved. Set in Vienna but shot in the Czek Republic, the scenery of the many palaces and country homes are exquisite. The highlights of course is the music, wonderfully performed by star violinists Yo-Yo Ma, conducted by Geoge Solti and the London Philharmonic. If you love the movie, you will have to get the soundtrack. From his Piano sonatas (Moonlight and Pathetique), to his concertos(No. 5 Emperor) and his symphones (Eroica, 5th and the Ninth) it is a great film that encompasses the passion, the drama and the turbulence of the Napoleonic age, as well as Beethoven's own troubled life as a deaf and tragic composer. A must see if you loved Amadeus. A great scene utilizes the "Ode To Joy" Beethoven's most famous work, and we are instantly in his mind, feeling his deafness and his heartache. As for the identity of the Immortal Beloved, watch the film as the mystery unfolds. A five star film.

Rating:
Summary: you can always just close your eyes and listen to the music
Review: Ludwig van Beethoven has died and bequeathed his estate to an unnamed woman. This is the tantalising premise for director Bernard Rose's film, and for it's first half it's compelling and beautifully made. Then Rose blows it, with a red herring about Beethoven's adoption of his brother's son, and though we do eventually return to the search, this misguided structure loses the audience. Fortunately, Rose floods the soundtrack with that glorious music. Rose coached a magnificent performance out of Virginia Madsen in Candyman, and does the same thing here for Valeria Golino, Isabella Rosellini, and to a lesser degree, Johanna Ter Steege. These women's eyes and skin and voices are shockingly intimate. As Beethoven, Gary Oldman looks right but is all externals. He bases his performance on the composer's deafness, turning him into a tormented neurotic which undermines Rose's romantic conceit (though isn't it always the miserable ones who creates things of great beauty?). Rose has eerie fun with acoustics, giving us Ludwig's distorted perspective, although he lacks the tabloid sensibility to match Ken Russell's flamboyant bio's. Russell too supported the exclusively autobiographical notion of an artist's work and Rose even makes the deafness Freudian. The stunning opening scene with crowds grasping for the coffin is evidence of Beethoven as pop star.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome Movie
Review: This was a fantastic movie. I recommend it highly.

Rating:
Summary: Who promised you a documentary?
Review: A lot of people have criticized this movie due to it's historical innacuracies. I am curious as to whether or not they had the same reaction to "Amadeus" (which is also based on a grand premise that has been dismissed by most historians.) Still not satisfied? Okay then, how about this... no one billed this film as a documentary. Like "Amadeus" it uses well known facts to weave a fantasy. If the producers are to be criticized, then let us now and forever more abandon the realm of historical fiction, and declare the area off-limits. Hollywood will surely not comply. Beethoven's personality itself was the stuff of rumor and legend, and many of us (myself included) place him on a gilded throne, and are unwilling to accept a portrayal of him that is (as is presented in this film) not without his serious human flaws. (If you think the guy didn't have issues, check out the biography by Maynard Solomon.) We want to LIKE Beethoven, and many scenes in this movie make it hard for us to sympathize with him. Our hero brought low... oh the horror. I think this film has taken him from the ivory tower and laid him out like a tragic Greek hero, who's passions become the source of his undoing. Yes, it was hard to watch. I do not know If I could watch it again, but I appreciate it. It is a fictional tale meant to give a more human interpretation of a man we hold in pristine glory. That's it.... an interpretation. Don't buy it if you don't want to. Keep in mind, though, that none of us knew the Maestro personally.

Rating:
Summary: The Immortal Beethoven Comes To Life
Review: Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the greatest composers-- some would say THE greatest-- in the history of the world. But what of the man himself? His passions, his loves? The humanness behind the genius? "Immortal Beloved," written and directed by Bernard Rose, examines the man behind the music in a dramatization focusing on the mystery behind a letter-- written by Beethoven-- found among his effects after his death in 1827. The letter bears no name or address, but was written to a woman to whom he refers as his "immortal beloved," with nary a clue as to her identity. But in his final will, it is she to whom he bequeaths his estate, and it therefore falls to Beethoven's secretary, Anton Schindler (Jeroen Krabbe), to unravel the mystery and discover her identity. And as Schindler pursues his quest, a portrait of Beethoven, in his most human aspect, emerges. Reminiscent of the approach taken by Orson Welles with "Citizen Kane," Rose presents a riveting study of the enigmatic genius that was Beethoven. He suggests a man driven by passion and ego, who was under appreciated during his lifetime (as great artists often are), and who grew bitter in the wake of the slings and arrows fate so surreptitiously hurled at him. The great irony of his life, of course, was the deafness that deprived him of the aural beauty of his own creation, an affliction Rose implies was brought about through the brutality of a drunken father who would beat his son about the head and ears (And in retrospect, what a testimony to his genius, that he could write such music in his head without ever hearing an actual note). As Beethoven, Gary Oldman gives an outstanding performance, one for which he should have received acclaim that somehow was never forthcoming. His ability to create a total character, with such incredible emotional depth as he does here, is astounding. It's puzzling as to why so many of his performances are overlooked, especially at Oscar time. Besides this film, consider his work in "Sid and Nancy," or more recently in "The Contender." He is simply a tremendous actor who has yet to have his day in the sun. As Beethoven, he so completely immerses himself in the character that his soul is veritably reflected in his eyes. You feel the silent world in which he was confined for most of his life, and it allows you to identify with the inner turmoil with which he had to cope and endure without respite. Most importantly, Oldman makes you feel that unabashed passion that motivated and drove Beethoven on. It's quite simply a remarkable performance. Turning in notable performances as well are Isabella Rossellini, as Anna Marie Erdody, one of the women in Beethoven's life who may or may not have been the one to whom the letter was intended, and Johanna ter Steege, as Johanna, Beethoven's sister-in-law and the mother of his beloved nephew, Karl (Marco Hofschneider). The supporting cast includes Miriam Margolyes (Nanette), Barry Humphries (Clemens), Valeria Golino (Giulietta), Gerard Horan (Nikolaus), Christopher Fulford (Casper), Alexandra Pigg (Therese) and Luigi Diberti (Franz). Beethoven's renown today, of course, exceeds even mythological proportions, which often facilitates the blending of fiction with fact. But with "Immortal Beloved," whether or not the finer points are historically accurate or not is of little consequence, for at it's heart this is a love story that is engrossing drama that is altogether transporting. It's a memorable film, highlighted by Oldman's performance and, of course, the music. And there are a number of scenes, as well, that are unforgettable and demand mention. One depicting the debut performance of the "Ode to Joy," and another in which the young Beethoven (played by Leo Faulkner) runs at night through the streets of the city to escape his drunken father (Fintan McKeown), coming at last to a lake, into which he wades to float on his back; and with the camera positioned directly above, looking down upon him, a billion stars are reflected in the water around him. Then slowly the camera pulls back until the young Ludwig blends with the reflected stars to seemingly take his place among all the brightest lights of the firmament. It's a scene that will leave you breathless and remain etched in your memory forever. And it's but one of the more astounding moments from an astounding motion picture that absolutely must not be missed.

Rating:
Summary: Do not believe this movie.
Review: This movie is totally garbage. Not one thing in this movie is historically correct. This does not come close to the other composer movie "Amadeus" which depicts Mozarts life. Do not come out of watching it thinking you learned something of Beethoven, except how his music sounds. It is obvious that the writers didn't consult any of the numerous historians that focus on Beethoven alone. As a music major, I am completely disgusted with this film

Rating:
Summary: Eternally entertaining
Review: No matter how many times I watch this performance by Gary Oldman as Ludwig van Beethoven, I am captived. As Oldman draws you into the life of this amazing man, you'll find yourself as odds with the man, but intensely enjoying the ride! Passionate in everyway...very entertaining.