The eternal struggle of reason vs. lust, one of Shaffer's greatest works.

Rating: Null/10 (24 February 2002)

Amadeus is one of the more interesting and smart movies I've seen. Shaffer has the ability to communicate on multiple levels from the banal to the philosophically urgent with style and an ability that film writers today have yet to achieve. One thing that I think most viewers dont understand fully about this movie is that its dealing with more than the fall of a great composer, one who is truly gifted by God. This film is about the contrast of the Dionysian and the Appollonian. Apollo the God of the moon, and of peace and knowledge versus Dionysus the God of parties, wine and those eternal desires not tamed by evolution that every person posses. Mozart is our representative of the Dionysian, living to fulfill his desires, yet incredibly gifted and blessed by God. This is important to understand in a culture that sees giftedness and talent as a reward for good living, just like illness was seen as a punishment for sin. The question this film poses is how to balance the earthly desires and the use of reason and learning.