Le neveu de Beethoven

Credit director Paul Morrissey for not making the sweaty revisionist history his NY underground reputation might have suggested, but the true story behind Ludwig Van Beethoven's tormented relationship with his young nephew Karl is more compelling than the modest screen treatment presented here. Besides being acknowledged as a musical genius, the composer was, apparently, also a paranoid lunatic, and after winning legal custody of his nephew he became insanely over-protective, taking upon himself the burden of guarding the boy against the unspeakable vices of women (and other boys). But the film is lopsided in Uncle Ludwig's favor, with Beethoven's wild and unruly personality completely overshadowing the nephew, just as Wolfgang Reichmann's colorful performance totally outclasses the sullen debut of Dietmar Prinz in the title role (resembling a 42nd Street hustler in 19th century drag). Call it a poor man's 'Amadeus', without the pageantry or commercial appeal, but with a similar (if more subdued) approach to madness and music.