Amadeus (1984)

Amadeus, directed by Milos Forman, is a biopic piece based on the
genius composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart released in 1984. The film is
the masterpiece in Forman's library, which includes the other powerful
biopic pieces Man On The Moon and The People Versus Larry Flint.

Amadeus is a film that is set in simpler times, in a more minimalist
world; but in this Forman has created a grand spectacle without the
requirement of special effects. The film consists of many simple
techniques that coincide with the time era of the film. While the
sets are extremely elaborate and seemingly over the top, the way the
film is shot and presented is simple to the eye. Forman uses a melody
of shot styles throughout the film to accomplish this task. During
the opera scenes he weaves in and out of long shots, mid shots and
close-ups. There also exists a form of parallel action in a sense as
Salieri (Mozart's rival composer) tells the story of his downfall simultaneous to the rise of
Amadeus. Forman's camera movement seems to be minimal as well. There
do exist some tracking movements; most notably at the beginning of
the film as Amadeus is chasing his love through the palace before his
performance. Most of the film seems to be shot very stationary and movement
is held to a bare minimal.

Of course what could be the most outstanding element of Amadeus
the soundtrack and beautiful score. Amadeus has sound coming from all
over the place as you would anticipate before viewing it and the sound
drives the film into its classical core. Where special affects
are the spectacle in most films that keep the viewer on the edge of
their seat, the score of Amadeus is its own special effect. The songs of
Mozart have been heard through generations, in the film though they
are presented in a new way that creates a freshness to the sounds of
old and now the present day viewer has more visualization with
the melodic notes than just a man wearing a gray wig, flailing his arms
frantically. The soundtrack is mostly light consisting mainly of
dialogue, and a wide array of subtleties that give way for the score
to be purposefully overpowering. The film's score is composite of
classical and opera. The most intelligent and innovative way the score
stuck out to me was during a scene where Mozart is seen at his desk
working on his newest opera "Requiem." The score is playing, he is seen writing
and as a character enters the room and breaks his concentration it is
realized that the score was a representation of what was going on in
Mozart's chaotic mind. Amadeus also makes use of a voice-over track
provided by the character of Salieri. It is he who is telling the story of Amadeus
through his eyes and each new scene is introduced to the viewer through his story telling.

Amadeus is a journey into biopic filmmaking that gives the
viewer a history lesson while keeping the interest level high. The film was
a triumph in 1984 winning 8 Oscars including best picture and best
director. Amadeus is in the top 100 films of all time and is a
timeless masterpiece that can be used in both studies and enjoyment
for decades to come.