And there are a number of scenes, as well, that are unforgettable and demand mention. It's a memorable film, highlighted by Oldman's performance and, of course, the music.
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. Beethoven's renown today, of course, exceeds even mythological proportions, which often facilitates the blending of fiction with fact. 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). 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). It's quite simply a remarkable performance. Most importantly, Oldman makes you feel that unabashed passion that motivated and drove Beethoven on. 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. As Beethoven, he so completely immerses himself in the character that his soul is veritably reflected in his eyes. 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. It's puzzling as to why so many of his performances are overlooked, especially at Oscar time.
His ability to create a total character, with such incredible emotional depth as he does here, is astounding. As Beethoven, Gary Oldman gives an outstanding performance, one for which he should have received acclaim that somehow was never forthcoming. 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). 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. Reminiscent of the approach taken by Orson Welles with `Citizen Kane,' Rose presents a riveting study of the enigmatic genius that was Beethoven.
And as Schindler pursues his quest, a portrait of Beethoven, in his most human aspect, emerges. 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. 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 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. Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the greatest composers- some would say THE greatest- in the history of the world. His carriage has broken down in the rain. What was in my mind when I wrote this? Hmm? A man is trying to reach his lover. It is the power of music to carry one directly into the mental state of the composer. If you hear a marching band, is your soul exalted? No, you march. What does it mean?Īnton Felix Schindler: It - it exalts the soul. Ludwig van Beethoven: I cannot hear them, but I know they are making a hash of it.