With thunderous sounds, a manic rivalry and endless debt, “Amadeus” takes the lead as a film where one cannot overestimate the power of jealousy and hatred. With engrossing performances by Tom Hulce and F. Murray Abraham as the brilliant Vienna composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, Miloš Forman’s “Amadeus” became as iconic in film history as Mozart’s Lacrimosa in music history.
The film begins as a deranged Salieri is being taken to a psychiatric hospital, as he madly claims the murder of the great composer Mozart. Father Vogler, a catholic priest, visits Salieri with the intention to make him confess his sins before God; however, he does not quickly confess but narrates the epic story of how disdain and envy made him destroy a man’s life.
Salieri narrates his beginnings as a young music aficionado, who due to his father’s hatred towards the art could not pursue music in the same capacity as Mozart did in his youth. Salieri turns towards God and offers his faith, chastity and diligence, hoping to become as successful as Mozart. Later on, he assumes God has accepted his offer when a fortunate event takes place, marking the beginning of his path to becoming an acclaimed composer in Vienna.
As success follows the court composer of the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, he realizes that his music is insufficient when he meets the legendary Mozart. His effortless skill and unexpected personality shift something within the emotionally composed Salieri: a mild yet flourishing hostility towards Mozart.
As the film progresses, the musical rivalry increases as Salieri becomes a God-hateful man whose ultimate goal is to end the life of his God-forsaken nemesis, and do everything in his power to steal Mozart’s music.
“Amadeus” is an adaptation of Peter Schaffer´s 1979 “Amadeus” stage play, which was inspired by Alexander Pushkin´s 1830 play “Mozart and Salieri”. Although the film is historically inaccurate and entirely fictional, it is still based on some rumors and the professional rivalry that surrounded Salieri and Mozart.
The film earned eleven Academy Award nominations, winning eight, including Best Picture. Tom Hulce and F. Murray Abraham were nominated in the same category for Best Actor at the 1985 Academy Awards, which, ironically, Abraham won for his portrayal of Antonio Salieri.
One cannot simply watch Milos Forman´s Amadeus once. It is brilliantly crafted, with great performances, a breathtaking musical score, tempting the viewer to hit the replay icon once the ending credits roll. Legendary falls short on what the critically acclaimed masterpiece, “Amadeus,” represents. Truly a magnum opus of film.
