Deceptively light and witty, this production packs some serious themes into a fun package. Tom Hulce gives a career performance as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He joyfully presents the belching, farting, scandalous but gifted composer. Mozart is a scamp who has been bestowed with unfathomable talent. As Mozart's fortunes rise and he creates his masterworks, his contemporary Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) bitterly sulks in his shadow. Salieri wishes to glorify God through his works but his efforts are stimited by his view of the beliegerantly vulgar Mozart. Salieri, forgetting the purpose of his works (to glorify God), compares himself to the master. Seeing a irritating man-child instead of a man he can respect, Selieri takes his desire to please God and turns it into rengence against the Almighty.

While Hulce chews on the scenery, the real star of the movie is Abraham as Salieri. He also offers his best performance, he won a Best Actor Oscar for his work (one of eight Oscars the film won that year). Salieri is a great villain and Abraham perfectly explains his point-of-view, sharply expresses his anger and disgust. Director Milos Foreman guides the story and allows Abraham the moments he needs to unpack his character. Foreman also gives Hulce moments to settle down and reveal the wounded man at the heart of Mozart's person. His pivotal scene where he explains his creative impulse, how seriously he really does take his work, is one of the best in the film loaded with memorable scenes.

This is a very enjoyable, accessable film with some deep messages. I can't imagine there are many people who'd be compelled to read a film review that haven't already seen this film. If you are one such person, this is a good enough film for you to go see immediately. I guarantee it's better than most of the new releases out there right now. It's better written, better directed and better acted than 99% of the films out there.


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Labels: biography, F Murray Abraham, film, Jeffrey Jones, movie review, Tom Hulce