Firstly, you do not have to be a fan or familiar with classical music to enjoy this movie. Beethoven is my favorite of the 3 Bs and it is his music that stars in this film. Several works are played throughout and a large portion of the Ninth Symphony premiere is performed continuously in a kind of false ending scene where you can't help but be filled with an Ode to Joy(bad pun). I thought Ed Harris captured the madness that seems to be classical composers but with much less lunacy than Academy Award winner _Amadeus_ did. Diane Kruger showed she can act much better than her appearances in the _National Treasure_ movies. My main complaint is I think the movie could have done without the performance of the Fugue where the audience is shown disinterested and confused. I also was confused because I initially thought that was Anna's piece he was performing but it turned out to be his swan song. Enjoy this movie not as a documentary on Beethoven but as an Ode to Joy of a revered composer and you'll do just fine.