Amadeus

Court composer Antonio Salieri recalls his rivalry with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose vulgar behavior and effortless musical gifts offend Salieri's sense of divine justice. From an asylum, he narrates how admiration hardened into resentment and secret opposition.

Forman filters Mozart through Salieri's eloquent, unreliable confession, while F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce embody envy and inspiration in opposing physical performances; the music functions as evidence of genius, accusation, and emotional revelation.