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Copying Beethoven

(2006, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Matthew Goode)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Period romance isn't original enough to score.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Beethoven's ornery, self-aggrandizing personality is tolerated by workers and relatives because he's a genius and because he supports them financially.

  • Violence:

    Some drunken antics (falling down and bellowing); Beethoven breaks a model bridge with his cane.

  • Sex:

    Verbal sexual allusions; passionate kissing between an engaged couple; Beethoven undresses in front of a female copyist and moons her; nephew touches Anna's breasts, assuming she's his uncle's prostitute; references to bodily functions (peeing).

  • Language:

    Relatively mild, infrequent language ("s--t," "filthy bastard").

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking and rowdy drunkenness.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Copying Beethoven

Parents need to know that most kids probably won't be interested in this period romantic drama, which deals with mature, somewhat abstract themes -- art, aging, inspiration, and originality. It focuses on a passionate, if chaste, relationship between the aging Beethoven and a young woman who works for him. The film includes some general vulgarities (references to bodily functions, filth, rats), a few occasions when Beethoven is drunk and unruly, and scenes featuring his dissolute nephew gambling and behaving badly (he grabs Anna's breasts). Characters argue loudly, and Anna cries when Beethoven berates her. Occasional mild language ("s--t" is the worst of it).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the creative process. How does the movie make the processes of composing and listening to music seem dynamic, rather than quiet, personal activities? How does it show that music is a sensual, emotional, and visceral means of communication? How does Anna provide a model of good moral behavior for her cantankerous employer? Does the movie make you any more interested in classical music?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    dancingwithmysel ...
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Interesting how Beethoven acted.....

    Pretty interesting and very different. It's like a one time see movie.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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