Amadeus (English, 1984)

While the movie might be titled after the genius Mozart, the performances are what make this movie stand out as an epic. The performance of Murray Abraham as the guy with the eternal self doubt – the guy who believes God has given him just enough musical talent to identify a good work when heard, is a revelation. The way he remembers Mozart’s simple musical notes with reverence, those minor shocks that he gets when he is insulted unknowingly by Mozart, the part where he denounces God and his final mad rant about the absolver of mediocrity are exceptionally done. In fact they make the audience root for Salieri as he is relatable to them; who on the contrary is actually positioned as the quintessential dark hero.

Tom Hulce as Mozart is no way inferior to Murray Abraham’s Salieri. Though he comes off as a the goofy childish prodigy – the performing monkey at first – his performance brings out all the nuances of a troubled creative mind. The flamboyant wigs, the boorish laugh on one side – but as a man with a daddy complex and the spontaneous creator who has to budge by the laws, censorship and the lawmen of his time on the other side – he brings out the perfect balance. Elizabeth Berridge as the innocent wife of Mozart Constanze, the archbishop & his court stooges all add color to the prolonged battle between Salieri & Mozart.

This movie is based on the play by Peter Shaffer who has also adapted his play to screen.His excellent dialogues notwithstanding, the ingenious script required the vision of Milos Forman to translate as an epic movie on screen. The narrative that flows back and forth – from the Salieri in the Asylum to the Salieri of his prime does a great job of keeping the curiosity of the audience. The usage of some of the best pieces of western classical music has helped a tale of jealousy elevated musically as well.

All the other technical departments show the same gusto and brilliance to complement the writing and the direction. The cinematography and the art direction needs special mention for bringing the period setting convincingly.