A very unusual biographical film; disturbing and at the same time deep

Rating: 9/10 (20 February 2000)

Biographical films are all just the same. They start showing the childhood of the person portrayed, after that how he/she started to make success or to have prominence, then his/her marriage, the children and finally the very sad death- if it doesn't show the person dying, it shows some subtitles saying what happened. Of course there are some exceptions, as "Hilary and Jackie" (that is great, even following this formula) and this masterpiece, "Amadeus", that tells by flashback the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Milos Forman is a great director, and also proved that with "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Valmont" and "The People vs. Larry Flynt" (also a biography). Instead of showing a light, sweet, depressing story, he decided to make a disturbing film, with some suspense and wonderful visually.
Antonio Salieri is a musician who is not very recognized and for that he envies Mozart, showed as a very weird man, but also with a very recognized talent. Salieri can't stand this situation and he will do anything to get this over. With this simple storyline, the film tells a important story, about envy and ambition, both present in our world. Forman's aim was just to focus on this situation. So, yes, he may have committed some historycal mistakes, but it doesn't matter. With a great screenplay, great cast, wonderful costumes, music and scenery, he did a superb film, winning 9 worthy Oscars.
"Amadeus" is a must-see, even if you don't like classical music.