What sublimity, what depth, what passion in the music! How about the movie...?

Rating: 8/10 (25 February 2007)

Biopics, either of artists or of popular historic figures, usually tend towards chronology. And what results is lack of creativity. This, however, cannot be said about AMADEUS by Milos Forman since it's a movie built upon flashbacks, being at the same time, not exactly a biopic of Mozart (as the title should suggest). So then about whom?
After the first 10 minutes of the film, a viewer may get an impression that the leading character is the composer Antonio Salieri. Yet, later, you realize that it's neither Salieri's biopic but rather an insight into his mind tortured by the "Voice of God" he met in count Colloredo's palace and which haunted him throughout the whole of his life. Milos Forman's AMADEUS, based on Peter Shaffer's work, is a universal film about rivalry, jealousy, emotions, dreams, revenge, and confession...something that we experience in our lives. What happens together with the characters is just a background, a shadow of past memories. It is only a look at Mozart, probably the most famous and the best classical composer of all time. All from the point of view of his "admirer" but "envious enemy" - Antonio Salieri.
This aspect of the film makes it an extremely interesting movie, not so much from the historical point of view but from the psychological one, since we are supplied with controversial side of human nature, with Salieri's contradictory life of innate emotions and feelings. Therefore, most viewers will probably identify with him though not necessarily liking him that much. He tells a priest his life story, the life that was in the absolute shadow of his rival. He deeply analyzes Mozart's music in anger and admiration. But this makes it very emotional and vivid. Yet, the problem is with Mozart. Here lies the entire gist? Is he presented objectively, faithfully as he really was or is it all a travesty as some critics call AMADEUS? In my opinion, it is just tremendously difficult to give an answer to this question at once. The director left it to all of us. Do you like Mozart from this movie? Would you feel the same as Salieri felt being let down before the emperor for the composition? Truly, Mozart is the genius of music, he is the one whose music resembles a perfect harmony. No single note has been changed here. I can't imagine being it otherwise. Mozart was "a masterpiece of composer"; yet, in the movie, he does not appear to be "a masterpiece of man." He is sometimes ridiculous when laughing out loud like a monkey and sometimes even appears to be vulgar (consider the moment: say it backwards). That must be a travesty but that certainly is not what Mozart was really like. That is what Salieri thought of him, how he personally perceived Mozart.
The movie, besides the aspect of an interesting content, is truly artistic. I think that it is the factor which makes so many people love it. It's throughout a pearl of visual beauty. There are really powerful scenes which stand out in gentleness of picture, harmony of colors and splendor of decorations. In the background, we get the music, the marvelous pieces of the immortal composer. For instance, pay attention to the final sequence when Mozart is composing REQUIEM. What appears in the atmosphere is mourning, fear, but at the same time what bursts out is the pure genius and trance of an uplifted state of mind. It's truly a tribute to the immortal genius of magnificence.
The performances are good; however they are left to two main characters mostly. F Murray Abraham is a perfect choice for Salieri. He is remarkable in expressing two personalities within one character. Young Salieri striving for success and still full of dreams in spite of being "kicked" by life and old disappointed Salieri already killed by jealousy and poisoned by past memories. Tom Hulce... with him the problem is as I mentioned before. Is he an appealing Mozart? He does a good job as a wonderful actor but it stays at controversy if he is accurate in the role. But acting is indeed mesmerizing! The best scene is, I think, Mozart composing CONFUTATIS from REQUIEM and dictating the notes to Salieri. I will never forget the power of this moment. One of the very best scenes of cinema!
Finally, I have to address the most important theme of the movie but at the same time very controversial. It is an aspect which does not fit people's tastes very often or even sometimes offends them. The movie seems to present human complaints to God. Salieri considers Mozart "Ama Deus" (beloved by God) and wants to defeat him, first defeat Mozart but, meanwhile, defeat God. He is angry with God for not having listened to his prayer "Lord make me famous..." He is angry with God because he has used Mozart for celebrating His Glory through music. Yet, there is nothing Salieri can do. This aspect is presented through a number of controversial, sometimes even shocking scenes like burning a crucifix or the final moment when Salieri calls the priest together with patients of the hospital "mediocrities of the world". By quarreling with a priest, he quarrels with God. The end of the movie seems to prove that even more strongly: Salieri fights with God and, symbolically, does not show submission to His Will. "I will speak for all mediocrities" being their "patron saint." and the one who absolves them all. Hidden meanings left to single individuals and their interpretations; perhaps confusing at certain moments but truly clever...
In conclusion, AMADEUS is definitely is a true classic, a very interesting film about the marvel of human talent. It has much to offer to viewers who love ambitious cinema. Although there certainly isn't such sublimity, depth and passion in the film as there is in Mozart's music, AMADEUS is truly worth seeing. 8/10