A great lesson in music appreciation

Rating: 10/10 (7 June 2005)

People who like classical music or Mozart in particular will love this movie. Assuming, of course, they can get past some historical inaccuracies, weird giggles or any other slight on their revered legend.
But what about the vast majority of people, who don't listen to classical music? Will this movie have any hold on them? Can someone who's been shaking their booty to MTV be thrown in classical waters and be expected to learn how to swim? If it's at all possible, this movie would be the one to do it. It's about jealousy, backstabbing, mealy-mouthing, blaspheming and stolen ideas. Who can't relate to that. Who hasn't had at least one of the above directed at them?
People who swear they wouldn't sit for any classical music, do it all the time when they get moved by a "classical" score in a movie that stealthily conveys all the emotion of the story.
Amadeus spotlights the creation of and appreciation of gorgeous music as seen through the jealous eyes of a competitor who knows in his heart he could never equal it.
If you're at that stage where you're yearning for something more than the beat, the riff, the homey twang, go for a little music appreciation that will knock your socks off. One of the best films I've ever seen.