Classical music aficionado or not, it's tough not to be moved by the soaring notes of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The work stands as both a defining highpoint in the composer's career and one of the most sublime and spiritual pieces of music ever written. An imaginative exploration of Beethoven's life in his final days working on the Ninth, Copying Beethoven draws inspiration from the music itself. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Agnieszka Holland (Europa Europa, Olivier Olivier, The Secret Garden), the film is both thrilling and romantic. It is Vienna, 1824. Beethoven, played brilliantly by Ed Harris, is racing to finish his new symphony. However, it has been years since his last success and he is plagued by deafness, loneliness and personal trauma. A copyist is urgently needed to help the composer finish in time for the scheduled first performance. Insightful young conservatory student and aspiring composer Anna Holtz (Diane Kruger) is recommended for the position. The mercurial Beethoven is skeptical that a woman might become involved in his masterpiece but slowly comes to trust in Anna's assistance and in the end becomes quite fond of her. By the time the piece is performed - a moment in history captured in an exquisitely moving shot from Anna's perspective, as she sits on the orchestra floor helping the deaf Beethoven to keep time - her presence in his life is an absolute necessity. She shares a deep understanding of his work, while her passionate personality opens a door into his proud, private world. The presentation of the Ninth Symphony is reason alone to see the film. Director Holland orchestrates bursts of images and metronomic camera pans that become a visual counterpoint to the music's propulsive and flowing tempos, its rushing violins and soaring voices. Every so often the camera focuses on one of Beethoven's hands, the fingertips stirring the air as if rustling the notes. The world falls away, blissfully. The 10 minute long re-creation may well have you weeping tears of joy.