Absolutely Excellent

Rating: 10/10 (20 September 2011)

This is one of the best films I've ever seen. Let's briefly look at why.
Firstly, it's a biography. It wasn't made up. Much of this is based upon historical fact. Some of it is certainly overdone for Hollywood, but most of it is spot on (costumes, music and Mozart's drink problem, for example).
Secondly, the acting is brilliant. O this is a drama student's feast! The intensity! The naturalism! You'll love it if you love acting. Both main actors got Oscar nominations for this film and F. Murray Abraham won the Oscar that year. (I wonder how the highly talented Tom Hulce felt about that!)
Thirdly, what a plot! You can't dream up this stuff. It's so sad, so unpredictable and so engaging.
Fourthly, the music - ah the music. What beautiful, powerful music. All of it was genuinely written by the great classic composer.
Other reasons make this film a grand piece of cinema. If you like it, you'll want to watch it a good few times. And it's never boring.
I can't think of any negatives, except I personally never appreciate female nudity in films - it cheapens them. Other than that, it's one of the most excellent of all films I've ever seen. Wonderfully compelling and extremely powerful. It deserved every Oscar that it won and it's simply a shame that the film isn't more popular.