Wow... simply brilliant

Rating: 8/10 (11 August 2008)

***Spoilers*** Well, I must admit- when I watch this movie, I have to watch it backwards (ie the 2nd part first, then the 1st part) cause it's so sad. I mean, as much as I loathed Mozart's character in this movie, he more or less brought it onto himself. He drank, he barely slept, he didn't seem to have a normal, consistent diet, he blew through his money. The pplz back then had a low life-expectancy then, my goodness. He certainly didn't do himself any favors Lol :-P I still sympathized with him. But anywhoo, this movie is quite brilliant. I wanna know whose idea it was for Tom Hulce's "giggle"- that insane, despicable lil giggle. I wanna strangle them, and shake their hand at the same time, if that makes any sense Lmao :-P It really was the icing on the cake in depicting how unique of a personality Mozart was (or more appropriately, Wolfgang).
The acting- was all superb. F. Murray Abraham played the perfect old & tortured, guilt-ridden Salieri. The first couple of scenes when the priest first enters the room, he's describing who he is/was and what he is/was- an instrument of God. And he was a good lil church boy, good lil Christian boy. That is-until he meets his nemesis, which turns out to be Tom Hulce's character, Mozart. Now Tom Hulce, who is probably more known for his "off-the-beaten-path" characters, does miracles with this. This pompous, childish, irresponsible "creature," who was inexplicably in love with "Stanzy" (and who wouldn't with those breasts staring at you everyday? hahahahahaha :-P)- he played it to a tee. I think Elizabeth Berridge had her moments, most very good, some others another actress than herself could've done.
Muscially- the operas and the plays were astounding. However, whoever chose the choir which was used for "Requiem" in the movie- needs to go back to music school. This was my favorite piece, and I was highly disappointed. I have a much better recording for this, dunno who the choir is (copied it from my choir teacher's CD hee-hee).
My rating is 8/10... for messing up Requiem, and cause it dragged a lil bit.
Take care, Jess :-D