Amadeus
1984
*****
Director: Milos Forman
Cast: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Simon Callow, Roy Dotrice, Christine Ebersole, Jeffrey Jones, Charles Kay, Kenny Baker, Barbara Bryne
Antonio Salieri, a respected but unremarkable composer, admires the extraordinary musical genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart but is shocked by the young man's reckless and immature behaviour. Over time, Salieri becomes consumed by envy of Mozart’s talent and resentment toward God. This fictionalised biopic of Mozart is based on Peter Shaffer's 1979 stage play, which itself was influenced by Alexander Pushkin’s 1830 drama Mozart and Salieri. Milos Forman's historical drama is a masterclass in storytelling. It tells a funny, moving, poignant, and heartbreaking story that looks and sounds majestic. The excellent Tom Hulce and F. Murray Abraham competed for the same best actor Oscar, and Abraham won. The film won an additional seven Academy Awards for best picture, director, screenplay, art direction, costome design, makeup, and sound.
