Solid biopic or film masterpiece, depending on your perspective

Rating: 8/10 (24 February 2011)

There's no denying that this 1984 biopic, directed by Milo Forman and written by Peter Shaffer, is a great film. It's a story about the old adage -- life is unfair. In fact, just to demonstrate how unfair, it probably should have been entitled "Salieri", rather than "Amadeus", because its really the story of Salieri and his bitterness over the success of his contemporary. But, the average person is somewhat familiar with Mozart, so let's be commercial about entitling the film.
If you are "into" classical music, there will be little to dislike about this film. You'll find a great story and lots of the music in which you revel. If you are not really into classical music, but are watching for the story, you may find the film a bit long with some sections highlighting the music (opera scenes) a bit lengthy. I'm the latter, but still, this film maintains your interest.
One interesting aspect of the film is that Salieri tells the story of his rivalry with Mozart as a sort of confession to a priest, after the court composer has been placed in a lunatic asylum for attempting suicide. And, though brief, the scenes in the asylum are chilling. I think the technique of flashbacks in films is overused, but is perfect for the telling of this story, because it allows Salieri (Abraham) to narrate the story effectively, thus aiding in understanding his feelings and motives. It may be a little difficult for us to understand that Salieri supposedly saw his musical talents as a product of his devotion to God -- a different time, to be sure. Mozart's irreverent and lewd general behavior surprised me, and in the light reading I did after viewing the film, appears to be accurately portrayed. Hence the source of Salieri's bitterness -- God appears to have graced the rude and obnoxious Mozart with the talent, while nearly bypassing the serious efforts of the pious Salieri. I did find Mozart's childish squeal of a laugh quite entertaining. Salieri comes to believe that God is using Mozart's genius to cruelly laugh at Salieri. Hence, Salieri's plot to kill Mozart, though the latter actually dies from exhaustion (?) -- the film not clear at all about the actual reason for death (and does not make obvious the many medical struggles Mozart has through his life). Particularly considering the length of the film, I would have liked a couple of minutes more dialog by Salieri describing Mozart's funeral and burial...just to put it all in more understandable perspective -- why the anonymous burial in a mass grave -- common at that time? What's interesting is that both Tom Hulce and F. Murray Abraham were nominated for Academy Awards (the latter won), but neither went on to luminous careers in film. The film won 8 Oscars in all, and deservedly so.