Amadeus

Rating:
Summary: Simply divine
Review: I saw this movie in the theatre 6 times when it came out in 1984 (when I was about 13). Now, in late 2004 I saw it again for the first time in exactly 20 years. And I'm still overwhelmed. Little did I know Hollywood can produce something this classy.

The sound and picture are quite satisfactory in quality. The extra 20 minutes don't really add much to the story, though the film now requires (I think) an R-rating as a result.

I don't know if Salieri killed Mozart. I doubt it though. Still, from my reading, there is ample evidence to suggest that Salieri really was Mozart's secret enemy, and that he created as many employment hurdles for Mozart in the Viennese court as he could. If true, then this means the real Salieri did play a role in Mozart's poverty after all. So why am I not surprised no one cries out loud about character-assassination. The fellow was a creep whether or not he killed Mozart. And a lousy composer besides. No tears for Salieri from me, but many for Mozart.

The irony is not lost on me. Tom Hulce, who played the title-role with such consummate skills (plus real piano finesse) won no Oscar for being a Supporting Actor. Murray Abraham, on the other hand, won the Best Actor. Now, I agree Abraham was superb in this film (though some of it was helped by the fanatastic makeup). But to me Hulce lost out big time. I mean, they gave this film Oscars for Sound, Art Direction, Adapted Screenplay and what not - but for Hulce, nothing at all. Sounds familiar, anyone? A Mozart tragedy was repeated in real life, by - of all things - the film about Mozart.