Country: GB/US
Technical: col/scope 120m
Director: Bernard Rose
Cast: Gary Oldman, Jeroen Krabbé, Johanna Ter Steege, Isabella Rossellini
Synopsis:
The discovery of a letter addressed to a mysterious lover by the executor of Beethoven's estate prompts a lengthy investigation among the women in the composer's life, and provides material for a fragmented biopic.
Review:
Undeniably handsomely mounted and intriguing, the film never quite achieves the emotive power of Amadeus since next to that film's tragic conceit of misplaced genius it can only offer a Manon des Sources-style drama of badly delivered post. Oldman succeeds in making this unlikeable man human, and the music is beautifully played, even if the cues are at times in doubtful taste.
Country: GB/US
Technical: col/scope 120m
Director: Bernard Rose
Cast: Gary Oldman, Jeroen Krabbé, Johanna Ter Steege, Isabella Rossellini
Synopsis:
The discovery of a letter addressed to a mysterious lover by the executor of Beethoven's estate prompts a lengthy investigation among the women in the composer's life, and provides material for a fragmented biopic.
Review:
Undeniably handsomely mounted and intriguing, the film never quite achieves the emotive power of Amadeus since next to that film's tragic conceit of misplaced genius it can only offer a Manon des Sources-style drama of badly delivered post. Oldman succeeds in making this unlikeable man human, and the music is beautifully played, even if the cues are at times in doubtful taste.
