Anna Holtz (as Beethoven always refers to her) is sent to be his copyist, but due to her sex, is constantly thought less of, and is mistaken for a serving girl, maid, and even a prostitute.

Though Anna agreed to her romantic interest, Martin Bauer, that she would help him complete his symphony, and then immediately leave after showing him her work, she instead continues to assist him as his copyist.

From here, Anna agrees that Beethoven did the right thing, and continues to work with him, pushing him past his hardships and failures, and then staying by his bedside until he died (on March 26, 1827).

The film ends with Anna finally embracing herself as an artist, unique from all other composers, including Beethoven, and readying herself for a promising future.

Further, it is recorded that at the end of the performance one of the soloists (Caroline Unger) guided Beethoven to turn around and see the applause, so this phase of his life is rich with opportunities to embroider to create a storyline suitable for modern retelling.

The website's critical consensus states, "A pretentious historical drama that's ultimately a drag, despite Ed Harris' powerful performance".