Lush eye candy with a minor side effect.

Rating: Null/10 (6 November 2002)

When the AFI released their 100 Greatest American Films of all time I was rather disappointed to find Amadeus at 53. This movie has the best and brightest set and art direction in cinema. The directing is fabolous, the camera is perfectly placed on every scene and moves exactly as it is supose to. Cinematography hasn't been this grand since The English Patient and Road to Perdition. Amadeus can best be described as a spectacular masterpiece and a must see for any serious film viewer.
Amadeus is told through flashbacks by Antonio Saleri (F. Murray Abraham). Saleri was the court composer for Emperor Joseph of Austria during the Renaissance. He is at the top of his game and thanks God for all that he has been given. Emperor Joseph hears about Mozart (Tom Hulce), a musical prodigy that composed and wrote his own operas as young as four years of age. When Mozart comes to Austria to give a private concert, he mocks and completely outshows Saleri. After this we see Saleri sink into depression, enflamed with rage at God, and wanting to kill Mozart to reclaim his glory as the emperor's favorite.
During the story we see beautiful operas and plays written and composed by Saleri and Mozart. The visual effects and the sound are absolutely stunning. The pieces that are played just add to the greatness and make it irrestible to look away or take in the music.
Mozart was directed by Milos Forman who directed the Oscar winner One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and later to go on to The People Vs. Larry Flynt, two Oscar wins and one nomination for Best Director. What Forman didn't realize was that he was going to peak Abraham and Hulce's careers, thus putting them out of good work that they absoluetely deserve. Both actors were nominated for Best Actor in 1984, and low and behold Abraham won. Abraham was forced to work in silly action flicks during the 90's including Survivng The Game and Star Trek: Insurrection, and a small role in Finding Forrester. Tom Hulce's career was eradicated. Hulce appeared in nothing major to this date, and remember he was nominated for Best Actor, and by the way he is very talented.