Brilliantly ExquisiteDazzling in Both a Visual and Profound Aspect

Rating: 9/10 (10 April 2006)

Milos Forman directs this enticingly unique Oscar-winning biopic derived from Peter Shaffer's profitable play. AMADEUS focuses on a composer, Antonio Sarelli whose music rarely outranks mediocrity and his envy toward juvenile genius, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The story is told entirely in flashback with an elderly Sarelli (F. Murray Abraham) confined in an insane asylum. He opens up to a young cleric about his angst-ridden relationship towards prodigy Mozart (Tom Hulce). Sarelli was a special music devotee and the court composer of Emperor Joseph II (Jeffery Jones). Initially enthusiastic about meeting the renowned composer Mozart, Sarelli's fervor soon subsided when he encounters an ardent immature man who turns out to be the famous musician. Sarelli is shocked at first, but upon discovering Amadeus' effortless strokes in creating unspeakably beautiful music, he is infuriated. Once Mozart captivates the emperor with his music, Sarelli is determined to do everything in his power as a court composer to keep Mozart away from the glory and recognition he deserves.
F. Murray Abraham deservingly won an Academy Award as the fittingly bitter Antonio Sarelli. Abraham gives the right pungent misery and covetousness to his role. Sarelli, having an ear of a music lover and not that of a composer, only thinks of everything concerning Mozart and Mozart's music. His character's analogy between Mozart and his music proves intriguing. Sarelli absolutely despises him yet he cannot even survive without the beauty of Amadeus' music. Sarelli cannot comprehend how such talent could be manifested in such a seemingly infantile self-indulgent fool.
Tom Hulce adds his modern, eccentric flavor to his role as society's most celebrated intellectual, Mozart. He frolics and clowns around magnificent sets ratifying his devil-may-care attitude. He effectively makes Wolfgang seem like a womanizing idiot who can produce divine music at the top of his head. His displays vulgarity and crudeness in soirée's while blurting out his trademark high-pitched laughs (the most significant in all of cinema). However, the strangest of all, he considers Sarelli as one of his closest friends despite Sarelli secretly taunting him and mocking Mozart's dead father (Roy Dotrice).
Meticulously authentic to be set in the 17th century, the film amplifies every visual detail. Theodore Pistek's custom-made dresses, wigs, costumes and masks are astonishing representations of Bohemia and long-forgotten Europe. Patrizia Von Brandenstein and Karel Cerny's art direction establish credibility in every set from start to finish. The camera work is superb and the original score is a reminiscent of the classics.
Everything about Milos Forman's direction is nothing short of flawless. The acting by the two male leads and supporting cast are excellent and the entire feature is a banquet for the eyes and ears. AMADEUS still remains the champion as the unrivaled king of biography movies. Any follower of brilliance deserves to watch this film.
There are remarkable performances by Jeffery Jones as Emperor Joseph II and Roy Dotrice as Mozart's father.