On DVD (1984). Rated PG, 160 minutes.
Amadeus tells the story of one of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's (Tom Hulce) rivals, Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), and how he is driven mad by Mozart's genius. The film is set in the 18th century Vienna but features modern dialogue. The film starts with Salieri's attempted suicide and commitment to a mental institution. He then visits with a priest, which provides the narrative flashback device through which director Milos Forman (Oscar winner for best director) tells this story.
Unfortunately, I didn't get 'hooked' by this Best Picture winner. The movie is beautiful, and Forman saturates the screen with the ornateness of the time and the music. The story is lacking, however, and I found F. Murray Abraham's performance to be showy and shallow. Hulce, on the other hand, was great in portraying the infantile Mozart (which reminded me of Elton John). The scenes with the Emperor (Jeffrey Jones, pre-Ferris) and his Cabinet are funny and effective, especially when Mozart is around, and I liked the Mozart/Salieri composition/death scene.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Amadeus - B
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
based on my memory, i'd give this an A-. salieri's decision to renounce god, not become an atheist but simply renounce god, is a powerful, powerful scene. for me that alone is worth the price of admission. but hulce as mozart seems to get it just write as well. when you hear the story of mozart, you think, "how did things go from so good to so bad for him?" but when you watch this film, it all makes sense. i do think abraham plays salieri a little too self-important, but, then again, maybe that's part of the point.
post of transformers coming
A for me. It's based on a stage play, so maybe Salieri is a little too theatrical. I do think Abraham does an outstanding job. He must have related strongly to the role as a B-list actor who will never hit the big-time.
The seamless picture and sound editing is what continues to impress me about the film. It helps that it contains some of the best music ever written, or as Salieri puts it - taken directly from God and given to man through Mozart.
Lawyer, I don't know if you saw the theatrical cut or the longer director's cut. The shorter cut plays better. Priest, that's a great scene when Salieri places the crucifix in the fire. The movie really does raise interesting questions about our purpose here on earth. Why do we have desires that will remain unfulfilled? How much control is God really exercising around us? Great film.
I really feel that the F. Murray Abraham's part as Salieri is supposed to feel theatrical. I think throughout the movie Salieri's whole point to life is that he is playing a part and that he never feels comfortable in his own skin and there is nowhere that he belongs. He feels he is better than the common man and when Mozart comes along he doesn't fit with the composers either (in his mind) I will say that F. can be a little too over the top at times in this but Hulce is dead on. I would give it an A.
doctor and lawyer, meet brainleak, a friend of mine from KC who recently graduated with a degree in film. he's currently doing filming and editing and has almost finished his first short film.
Hello brainleak (?) - you should have that looked into. I know some good people. Are you going to post your short film on the web or will I have to visit the confessional to get a copy?
Post a Comment