A perfect piece of cinema

Rating: 10/10 (13 July 2009)

I wouldn't stop myself saying that Amadeus is one of the finest movies ever made. It is perfect in every way.
Part of it is the subject matter. It is about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the famous composer. Of course, it lends itself to be the vessel of some of the finest music ever written. Mozart was a genius, but, much like his music, his entire career was filled with superfluities. For every Don Giovanni, there is a piece that should have been forgotten. But the movie is only three hours, so it showcases only the best of Mozart.
It is a very fictional movie, one in which a mediocre composer, Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), fawns over Mozart (Tom Hulce), envies his talent and plots his downfall and death. The academy loved the 1984 movie, giving it 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role for F. Murray Abraham (though I believe Tom Hulce deserves it more), Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay from the play of the same name. The reason I say that Tom Hulce deserves the Oscar over F. Murray Abraham is not because Abraham didn't give a brilliant and nuanced performance, it's that Hulce simply is Mozart. Like Ben Kingsley is forevermore the face of Gandhi and Sean Penn is Harvey Milk. There are some roles people will always be, and that is the way it is. When people think of these real people, they see these actors instead. And also, this, of course, is a period piece. But it is arguably the most interesting you will ever see. It is light, it is dark, dramatic, romantic, beautiful and human. It is balanced, and that is really what makes a perfect movie.
Each piece of this film is vital. All three hours. Every second is perfect. Every note is in place. The editing is tight, genius. Each element lends itself to the whole, and to the detail. Look at the movie for pleasure, and you'll be rewarded. Scrutinize it and you'll be amazed even more. There's nothing not to love about this movie. When you sit there, after three long hours, and want even more, there's something very, very special about the movie.
This is a perfect piece of cinema.