User reviews

I love Beethoven and especially his piano sonatas so this movie did not have to work too hard to charm me.

It is somewhat lame - the actors are kinda stiff and wooden and the writing/plot is execrable.

That being said - it is an OK way to pass an hour and a half.

Just ignore all those 10/10 ratings.

"Playing with Beethoven" tells the story of Josh (Aric Floyd) and Charlotte (Naomi Druskic), two pianists at an unnamed conservatory who are on the brink of a competition that offers a world tour (apparently with parents in tow) as a reward. Charlotte has a secret agenda, but not to worry, everything will be fine in the end because it's that kind of movie. The kind where a character has to apologize for a mild swear word that's in everyday use (the only one in the entire film). The kind where you can see everything coming a mile away, because the director (who also wrote, produced, and edited) can't resist bashing you in the face with every plot development. The kind where an African-American lead has to have an absentee father, and the best explanation the screenwriter can come up for an actress' accent is to suggest first that it's learned from the grandparent who raised the orphaned family (never mind that her older sister is accent-free) and then that it's just a put-on. The kind where all sorts of important events just happen to occur on the same night.

Floyd is a competent actor; the rest of the cast not so much. And the implausiblities just keep coming, from the leads tooling dozens of miles around town on a BMX bicycle to breaking into a theater where Charlotte's friends are rehearsing with a famous conductor (apparently it never occurred to anyone to walk through the front door that everybody else uses). At one point Josh, who is presented as a classical pianist through and through, suddenly displays a gift for flawless jazz improvisation--apparently Beethoven takes serious practice but jazz just comes to everyone without effort.

On top of all that, the pianos (all blatantly product-placed by K. Kawai) are so badly tuned that they wouldn't be out of place in a honky-tonk Western. This is supposed to be a serious music conservatory! The Kawai company ought to sue the producers for defamation.

Saw Playing with Beethoven today and can't wait to share it with my friends! I was so impressed with the talent these young actors brought to the story! I would definitely recommend it to all types of audiences.

Playing with Beethoven is a film that reminds us to live our best life. Josh and Charlotte are pianists that are entering the biggest competition of their lives. Yet what they learn is a lesson that we all need to be reminded of.

I absolutely loved "Playing with Beethoven" (Jenn Page, Writer/Director). This is an inspirational story and wonderful film about life, love, music and more. The actors and actresses in both leading and supporting roles were superb. The storyline wonderful. The music was everything you wanted and more. This is a "date night" movie for guys and gals of all ages, and an anytime movie for everyone. Truly a must see film. Hooray that this movie proves that Independent Filmmaking is very much alive and well.

In one day Josh follows Charlotte, as both prepare for a music competition. The music is played live on set and that is key to viewing this movie. Passion for music is personal and different for each person. The same passion can corrupt one musician, but complete another. There are many beautiful moments in this movie, but the thing that drives the drama is how damaged lives can produce artistic expression. The characters are believable as they interact with their instruments and each other. A toy band with friends evolves to a duet/duel. Idols/mentors/parents appear to change as a janitor cheers from above.

In today's world, it's easy to get caught up with all the negativity that swirls around us.

For a positive antidote to much of the negativity that exists in the world, you can turn your attention to this uplifting film.

It's not necessarily a spoiler to say that this is a beautifully directed film, with talented musicians and an uplifting end, but it sure is a welcome change of pace.

What a great movie! Acting was superb and a great story. Should become a classic! It is heartwarming to reveal all the pressure that is put on everyone, and especially youth, to be successful. We all need to analyze what is the true definition of success? This movie explores that in a very entertaining way.

I was looking for a movie that would be good for the family. We all enjoyed it, I would definitely recommend it to other families. We even noticed several actors from other films and TV shows. Good film!

The film is an homage to those Gen Z who love classical piano music and a love letter to invite those curious about the discovery of this genre. "Beethoven" is a public service announcement for more funding of the Arts in our public schools as well as pure entertainment for audiences of all ages. Highly recommended.

Please ignore the reviewer claiming the 10/10 reviews are "fake".

We both loved this movie.

It has some great musical performances, but the real story here is about life and its lessons, love, the choices we make etc.

Great film, good cast and good acting. The leads have good chemistry.

Found Aric's acting to be very good, despite his young age / not having all that much acting experience.

Naomi is a highly acclaimed musician. I found her character to be well written to go opposite Aric's character and she played the role well.

Very entertaining (humor, romance, great music), yet also a good story.

One of those hidden gems - we had not heard about this and just stumbled onto it.

Highly recommend this movie!