a classic period piece

Rating: 10/10 (5 July 2005)

Surely one of the best films of the 1980's, or even perhaps of the last quarter of the 20th century. Everything about this movie, from the complete character foil of Amadeus compared to Salieri, the conflict within conflict storyline of the rise of genius versus the toil of mediocrity, to the ultimate demise of 2 men, one whose talent is consumed by the ravages of alcohol and guilt while the other's soul is consumed by the power of envy. It's the very rare modern day film, with all the trappings of today's film debauchery (language, sex, violence, etc.) that could just as easily have been produced back in the golden age of Hollywood (pre-1950.) F. Murray Abraham's portrayal of Salieri is truly Oscar award worthy. What better way to teach history than to show it through the eyes of the third person in which every step of the title character's role is seen with enough detail as to not confine the character within the facts of histories already known. Yes, as within most Hollywood's rendering of history, there are surely many facts that have been left to the director/screenwriter's interpretation, but then again - this is entertainment, not education.
A must see.