I can only come up with one word to describe this picture: Beautiful.

This is the most beautiful motion picture I have ever had the pleasure to see. This is what most films today are lacking: beautifully detailed sets and costumes, a fantastic script, and top notch performances backed by the direction of Academy Award winner Milos Forman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), all set to the tune of the compositions of one of the greatest composers ever: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

And this is also, for me, the greatest portrayal of any historical figure I've seen on film. While the story might not be 100% fact, it gives many details about the legendary composers short life. It dwells on his relationship with his father, his money troubles, and his ultimate burial among commoners. But it also adds a twist to history that provides a fantastic tale of envy and murder.

All of this is made better by the people in front and behind the camera. The costumes and sets beautifully portray the era, and as a bonus, are given just a little extra flare to make them even more magnificent to the eyes. In one dazzeling scene, Mozart shines in his white suit and orange tinted wig while the performers on stage sing in beautiful dresses and tunics, against a backdrop of blue and yellow lights. The attention to detail, and addition to detail is marvelous. The actors turn in 5 star performances as well. Tom Hulce is fantastic as the cackling, foul-mouthed, musical genius Mozart. F. Murray Abraham, in the role that won him an Oscar, portrays Mozart's jealous friend Antonio Salieri. And Elizabeth Berridge plays Mozart's loving wife Constanze amazingly.

All of this helps to make the story one of the greatest tales ever adapted to the silver screen. We are narrated by Antonio Salieri, who sits in a mental institution after trying to kill himself. He is visited by a priest to whom he confides the story about his relationship with the musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salieri meets Mozart while he is still young. Salieri has always been inspired by Mozart, and when he gets the chance to meet him, he searches the concert hall for Mozart, looking for some outward sign of genius that will lead him to Mozart. When he finally finds Mozart, he discovers the musical prodigy to be nothing more than a foul-mouthed perverted young man, chasing a girl about the concert hall trying to get her to marry him. As the story progresses and Mozart and Salieri's relationship in the emperor's court deepens, Salieri's envy of Mozart's talent grows until Salieri begins planning to end Mozart's career, by any means necessary.

Amadeus swept the Academy Awards in 1985 and it deserved everyone it got. Everything about this movie is fantastic, there's no questioning it.

For outstanding attention to detail and a wonderfully rounded out film, I give Milos Forman's Amadeus a 5 out of 5 on my rating meter. I highly recommend it.