igor-28

The ratings and critics on this movie probably watched too many urban gangster movies with Al Pacino. I suspect that this rating cant be realistic. "Revolution" is in my view a masterpiece. You not only have passionate performances by Pacino, Kinski and Sutherland, but also beautifully shot and above all pretty realistic depictions of America in the 1770s and 1780s. For a historical movie, this piece of directing is in the same league as other masterfully directed 1970s historical movies, such as Heavens Gate for example. What makes this movie extraordinary though, especially in comparison to Roland Emmerichs The Patriot(which is nothing else than a commercialized and indeed more patriotic kitsch-version of Pacinos "Revolution"), is that it portrays the characters in an accurate historical setting and with believable conflicts in an authentic way. For those who prefer patriotic Hollywood-Kitsch, this movie surely will disappoint.

This movie is a literary adaption of one of George Orwell's earlier works. The movie itself is somehow typical in its British style - Victorian in mood, like one of those outdated Ivory movies. But look more closely. You can find many interesting details, considering themes, metaphors and aspects of Orwells overall work. For one, there is that theme of the proletarian working class as redemption and only place of free thought. Escaping the control society - as it is portrayed in this movie- is only possible if you escape the middle class bourgeoisie (which the Aspidistra stands for metaphorically) and dwell into the simple life of sex, food and pure survival. Yes George Orwell himself dreamt all of his life about living as a free man and so he was constantly criticizing societies restrictions - in this case it is the "Money God", as the main character in "Aspidistra" calls it. Well its a little bit ridiculed of course by these snobbish British film makers and not taken too serious in this movie, but for Orwell it was a true pain. Another theme is the sex in the forest issue. You can find that also in 1984 - another metaphor for a search for freedom and unification with nature.

The story of Salieri is classic. The guy just chose the wrong profession. He should have become a music critic, not a musician. He wants to compose to the glory of God, but fails, simply because he is not talented enough. On the other side he has the gift to see the astonishing talent and genius of Mozarts music. Thats what makes Salieri a unique character in recent film history. The best critic ever seen on screen in a leading role. Besides that, Mozart is not the leading character in this movie. We see Mozart from the eyes of an admirer. Thats why we get a totally wrong impression from the life and work of this musical genius. The ultimate climax of the movie, the requiem scene in Mozarts flat shows the melting of two characters into one. Salieri becomes Mozart for a night. The synthesis of criticism and creativity.