RETRO REVIEW OF: Amadeus
The PLOT: The story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as told through the recounted ramblings of his nemesis, Antonio Salieri. The CAST: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce The GOOD: Some stories can easily be told through simple narrative; an author conveying his own thoughts and feelings directly to you, in a simple and linear fashion, that conveys an exact idea. Amadeus doesn't do that, and the way in which it avoids doing that, is expertly executed. While the film does a wonderful job of conveying the life and times of Mozart, it also puts the viewer in the shoes of someone who hates the man. It's almost as though Peter Shaffer (the writer) grew weary of hearing people say, "I LOVE MOZART!", and so decided to portray him, not as a villain, but a gifted idiot in the eyes of a "more dignified musician", as Salieri believes himself to be. From the disturbing opening sequence to the films frantic climax, you never quite feel right about an...