It is hard to deny – a lot of the movies about talented and significant artists are somewhat dull and depressing, because of the drama that was present in the lives of the chosen people. Amadeus is an exception. Moreover, only a narrow mind would not notice that this movie appears to be one of the best motion pictures ever made about the process of creation and the creator.
Amadeus covers the last 10 years of Mozart's life, time that was spent primarily in Vienna. From 1781 until 1791, the film chronicles the composer's triumphs and failures, as viewed by Salieri, the Court Composer to Emperor Joseph II. Amadeus actually begins in the 1820s, with an aging Salieri, now confined in an insane asylum after attempting suicide, offering his confession to a priest. His tale forms the bulk of the movie's narrative ( Berardinelli).
The biggest part of the movie is based on showing the relationship between Mozart and Salieri, and, I would say, their comparison and their music appreciation. In 1781, Salieri is in awe of Mozart - until he meets him. A mediocre composer with a limited reputation, Salieri recognizes greatness in Mozart's music, but is horrified to find that the man he admires is a childish rogue who chases women, drinks heartily, and has little or no respect for the manners and morality of decent society (Berardinelli). Salieri's repugnance for Mozart grows as he gets to know him and witnesses further acts of degradation (Berardinelli).
Probably the only thing that was constantly feeding Salieri’s anger was his belief in God. Of course, Salieri was a talented man, but he became famous only because of his devotedness and workaholic nature. He has not spent a day without thanking God for what he has become, and even swore that he will never lay a hand on a woman, making it a graceful sacrifice to please his Lord. On the contrary, Mozart was gifted by God without asking for such favor; he was never trying too hard to impress anyone, his music was perfect from the moment of its very creation.
Believing God to have placed his favor upon an undeserving individual, Salieri viewed the situation as a rebuke from God, and became determined to strike back at the Almighty by silencing His instrument. Thus, Salieri plotted Mozart's downfall. But, at the same time, despite the desire to destroy the man, he was held enraptured by the music (Berardinelli). Based on this excerpt, I can state that the tragedy of Mozart-Salieri relationship was heavily influenced by the music appreciation from both sides. Whether caused by God’s will or just an ability to work hard in order to achieve needed results, talent was something that made enemies out of people who admired each other’s limitless talent.
All in all, the subject of music appreciation plays the main role in deciphering the complex relationship between Mozart and Salieri. Thanks to its uniqueness and extraordinary nature, this particular theme made the story of the …