A preview featuring a scene with Tom Hulce's (appearing as protagonist Wolgang Amadeus Mozart) shrieking giggle and my past dislike for classical music kept me away from an early viewing of Amadeus. So what got me to watch the movie? It must have been the effect of the ongoing hype and the curiosity towards Mozart stirred up by the non-stop airing of the international pop hit Rock Me Amadeus that was inspired by the film.

With respect to the movie, Hulce's invented Mozart giggle aside, I have somehow grown fond of it because of the creativity of the original script which turns Amadeus into an interesting enough "what if?" biopic. I was also delighted by the strong performances of the cast, especially F. Murray Abraham as Mozart's archrival Antonio Salieri and Jeffrey Jones as Emperor Joseph II. Though not based on facts, the idea of Salieri's scheme to ruin Mozart's career in any way possible is inventive and serves its purpose as art for art's sake. And art it is, from Salieri's answer-seeking conversations with God to the luxurious balls where Mozart plays regardless of whether he is in an upright or prone position, and with or without a score.

As an imagination of what might have been, the film is interesting. As a medium of art, it lives through the passionate performances by Abraham and the rest of the cast as well as the seamless direction by Milos Forman. Last but not least, the film is wrapped up in Mozart's wonderful compositions which add additional sparkle to the film. Overall, Amadeus should please aficionados of the late genius, and general viewers who would like to get to know a somewhat different interpretation of Mozart's controversial life.