Beethoven

Beethoven is currently streaming in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 2,252 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Charles Grodin leads a cast with real comic timing. Put it on tonight on BINGE and see for yourself.

There is a reason Beethoven keeps coming up in conversation. Beethoven gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. The Newton family live in their comfortable home, but there seems to something missing. This "hole" is filled by a small puppy, who walks into their home and their lives. Beethoven, as he is named, grows into a giant of a dog... Charles Grodin and Bonnie Hunt lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1992. Beethoven earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Beethoven respects your intelligence. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Charles Grodin anchors an ensemble with real chemistry. Genuinely funny, consistently, across the whole run.