Ed Harris has never won an Oscar, but his numerous nominations since 1996 seem to have sent him into a grandiose direction for which this earthy, workmanlike performer was never intended. This speculative drama about the last few years of Beethoven’s life invents a young aspiring composer (Diane Kruger) who becomes the famed musician’s copyist. Their relationship involves a lot of pouting and screaming and the occasional making of beautiful music together. Thank goodness for that music, for it is the only thing that can be heard above Harris’ embarrassing bellowing.
