Beethoven (1992)

Director:

Brian Levant

Writers:

John Hughes (written by) and
Amy Holden Jones (written by)

Release Date:

3 April 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Tagline:

He'll grow on you.

Plot:

A slobbering St Bernard dog becomes the center of attention for a loving family but its vet secretly wants to kill him.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Veterinarian | Animal | Poetic Justice | Self Discovery

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Charles Grodin	...	George Newton
Bonnie Hunt	...	Alice Newton
Dean Jones	...	Herman Varnick, D.V.M.
Oliver Platt	...	Harvey
Stanley Tucci	...	Vernon
Nicholle Tom	...	Ryce Newton
Christopher Castile	...	Ted Newton
Sarah Rose Karr	...	Emily Newton
David Duchovny	...	Brad
Patricia Heaton	...	Brie
Robi Davidson	...	Mark
Laurel Cronin	...	Devonia Pest
O-Lan Jones	...	Biker Woman
Nancy Fish	...	Miss Grundel
Craig Pinkard	...	Homeless Man

Also Known As:

Beethoven: Story of a Dog (Australia) (cable TV title)

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

South Korea:All | Netherlands:6 (TV rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8/5 | Germany:6 | Netherlands:AL | Peru:PT | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:U | USA:PG | Singapore:PG | Iceland:L | Brazil:Livre

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Brian Levant took over as director just after the start of filming, replacing Steve Rash.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the vet gets the bullets to the gun, it is said that the bullets will explode on contact. Well, when the gun is shot later on in the movie, the bullet does not explode.

Quotes:

Brad: We want to get in bed with Newton Auto Air Freshners!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Gilmore Girls: Double Date (#1.12)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Lady Marmelade

Fun!

An endearing throwback to sunny Disney comedies of the '60s and '70s, this even has an appearance by Dean Jones! It's no masterpiece, but it is a likable and good-hearted movie that manages the seemingly impossible task of being a decent Brian Levant film. To be fair to the bloke he shows a light touch here, and he's helped along by the delightful performances of a constantly exasperated Charles Grodin and the ever-merry Bonnie Hunt; the chemistry between them and the kids elevates the movie. Sweet without being sickly, chaotic without being mean, 'Beethoven' is thoroughly entertaining and keeps a smile on my face despite a nagging feeling that it should all be rather average.