Amadeus (1984)

Release Date: 19 September, 1984


What's It About: Composer Antonio Salieri conducts his vendetta against rival composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as they compete for the attention of the royal court and the public. Salieri is undone by Mozart's consistent shows of genius, of which Salieri cannot understand.


The Good: The music, first and foremost, is a delight to the ears. Featuring the best of Mozart and Salieri's work, the music is the true language of the film. The performances of both leads are top notch - Mozart is depicted as a vulgar childlike buffoon with a ridiculous laugh, and Salieri as a serious, brooding wet blanket. The costume design is fantastic, as is the set design - for a period piece, this can be very difficult to achieve, and this film stands out as one of the better ones.


The Bad: The film has a very long runtime and seems to go on forever. It's not historically accurate, which may bother some people, but bear in mind it doesn't intend to be. Sometimes scenes tend to drag on, which extends the film out more, and there are long cuts between scenes which can be jarring. Some of the character motivations don't make sense.


Best Performance: There are two brilliant performances in this film, but the standout belongs to Salieri. F. Murray Abraham's Salieri seethes with envy whenever Mozart exercises greatness, and scowls in disgust at his vulgarity, but it is in his moments of revelation, reserved for him and him only, upon listening to or reading Mozart's work, that make his performance stand out. One can feel the divine genius in Mozart's work through Salieri, the patron saint of mediocrity.


Should I Watch It: Scandalous, tragic, comedic and legendary, Amadeus is an incredible epic telling of the famous rivalry between Mozart and Salieri. It might not be historically accurate, but it never professes to be, since this is a period drama that tells of their story, and isn't trying to depict history. I would highly recommend it if you're looking for a damn magnificent film with an unusually gripping story full of ups and downs. Amadeus is a wonderful film worthy of your attention.


Post-Credits Scene: No


Similar Films: Shine (1996), Barry Lyndon (1976), Dangerous Liaisons (1988)


Trailer: