This is a very good film that is hard to enjoy

Rating: 10/10 (23 January 2019)

This film presents an interesting take on the problem of evil, envy and the way natural talent is allotted at birth. Salieri is deeply compelling figure of commonness who has just enough skill in his chosen field to be able to understand true genius. But he is also a proper man. Mozart is the opposite as it required by the story dynamics. Murray plays with such great sensibility and understanding that you can't help but understand him. And in a sense cheer him on. The 3 hours just fly by because of how compelling Salieri is.
However, for this plot to work Mozart has to be portray as an annoying, boorish git. Hulce is more than up to the task. Pretty much every time he laughs I wanted to stab my eardrums. While that makes it a good performance, given the nature of the compelling story (especially as in context Mozart is actually Salieri's memories of Mozart), it significantly hinders my ability to watch this film. It all works beautifully but it isn't enjoyable.
The film is very operatic. The visuals and direction are lush. This is a film that is great to think about but necessarily watch.