Amadeus: 1984

On one hand, I wish I had read this article from the BBC about Amadeus before I watched the film to know just how fictional the film is. Yet I kind of enjoyed not knowing how much was true and how much was false when I watched the film. The scandals and drama of Mozart and Salieri's Vienna drew me into their lives and their stories. I actually wish it was a miniseries instead; there still seems more to tell. What ended up happening to Mozart's wife after his death? What did Salieri accomplish before ending up an old man in an insane asylum?

Unlike some of the other films I've watched for this blog, Amadeus was not one where I questioned why the film earned Best Picture. From the acting to the plot to the cinematography, the film was engaging and entertaining while also being visually stunning. The only moments I felt pulled out of the film was when I recognized the Emperor as being Ferris Bueller's principal (played by Jeffrey Jones) and the maid being Miranda from Sex and the City (played by a young Cynthia Nixon). I figured those are forgivable considering how both of their roles in other works have become iconic. Both Jones and Nixon were convincing in their roles; it's not their fault that their faces are so recognizable now.

The one problem I'm having with Amadeus is what to say about it, and I wonder if that's just me or a common issue with the film. It's good, honestly, but what's notable? The film has long scenes of opera, and the staging and casting in those operas is quite impressive. In a way, I felt like I was experiencing multiple forms of media in one place. But I could see that as a being a downfall of the film as it takes away from the main storyline of Salieri's intense hatred for Mozart and Mozart as creative genius. I don't know for sure how much was in the film version released in theaters as the version I picked up at my local library was a director's cut and thus had an additional 20 minutes. I wouldn't be surprised if most of that 20 minutes consisted of operas as those scenes seemed a bit long for a wide release.

Looking back on my last post, I should note that I did finish Terms of Endearment, and while the ending is sad, it still didn't change my outlook on the film.

Terms of Endearment: 1983

I had expected, even prepared, myself to cry at some point during this movie. I'm over halfway through this movie, and I don't really like any of the characters. Shirley MacLaine's performance as the overbearing mother is solid, Debra Winger as a spoiled daughter is good, and Jeff Daniels as the oblivious husband is right on the mark. But it seems that the characters themselves, no matter how well they're portrayed, are just not connecting with me.

Jack Nicholson (who plays the astronaut playboy neighbor) won Best Supporting Actor for his role, and MacLaine won Best Actress. I can see why MacLaine won, but this was yet another film for me where Nicholson seems to be the same character as always. There doesn't seem to be much depth to him. Granted, I'm just over halfway through, so perhaps there's more coming with his character that will demonstrate more of a range that would merit winning an Oscar.

The sad part of the movie is seeing how Emma and  Flap's tumultuous relationship affects their children. They come across as selfish parents who aren't really thinking about what's best for their kids. And their oldest Tommy is the most affected. He seems to see his parents for who they truly are, even as a young boy. He sees their faults, and he isn't willing to forgive them. Honestly, I can understand considering how Emma and Flap are.

I'll finish watching Terms of Endearment because of this blog. But if I was just watching this for my own entertainment, I would have turned it off at least half an hour ago.

Gandhi: 1982

The first time I saw Gandhi I was a freshman in high school. Our world history teacher decided to show it to help us understand Gandhi's importance better. I don't remember much about this first viewing other than the film was long and Gandhi did a couple of fasts to prove his point. Unfortunately, I don't think the film had the impression on me that my teacher had hoped. Of course, it was the third movie he'd shown that year, the previous two being A Man for All Seasons (which I rewatched earlier for this blog) and Monty Python and the Holy Grail (oh, if only that had won Best Picture!). Seeing Gandhi again as an adult, I have a much greater appreciation for what Gandhi accomplished and how the film presents this man who tried to live simply and honestly and inspire others to love this way.

Gandhi is really a biopic at heart, with the main focus of the film being on the life of Gandhi beginning with his time in South Africa. I teach Cry, the Beloved Country, a book set in pre-apartheid South Africa, so Gandhi's time in South Africa was particularly interesting to me as he fought for rights for Indians living there. Before working on a free India, Gandhi seemed mainly focused on being treated fairly as a citizen of the British Empire. I think it's that determination of I am a citizen and I deserve proper treatment as such speaks so much to what is happening in the present day all over the world. Perhaps that's what this part of the film resonated with  me so much. Gandhi's struggles in South Africa and later India are similar to any group who is facing unfair treatment for who they are.

Gandhi prepares to burn official citizenship papers in South Africa, despite facing arrest

The film opens with a disclaimer about how the filmmakers set out to tell the story of Gandhi by portraying the spirit of who he was, which clearly indicates that parts of the story include fictional elements. Seeing this statement (really, disclaimer) was something I appreciated because I think that biopics can easily face criticism for not being authentic or factual. Then again, I think back to when I first saw the film and wonder if any biopics are appropriate for a classroom. Is it better to have the factual account or one that has some exaggerations but possibly inspires? After seeing the film, I'm curious about Gandhi. I'd like to see a documentary and read some of his speeches. So maybe my history teacher did the right thing...it just took 20 years for the lesson to set in.