I approached "Amadeus" fresh from having read an alarming article on Sky's 20% quota for diverse actor screentime. I was somehow able to stomach a Japanese Mozart, albeit a ridiculous concept in the abstract. But from the second episode, Vienna began to resemble some sort of metropolitan airport lounge with the surprising number of diverse occupants spanning her 18th century streets. From an Indian child refusing to practice to an African soprano prancing around the stage in a waistcoat and breeches. Scene after scene just saw me removed out of the period entirely and into some sort of blank slate, modernist interpretation of Europe's creative prime. And that's without the inevitable smut and continuous foul language - not even a single attempt to portray the period with any semblance of class or dignity. As for the story - I'm sure most viewers will have already indulged in this tale beat for beat for the most part, albeit much better acted, written, directed, produced and arranged. The series drags - noticeably so toward the end. The characters are neither believable, noticeable or likeable. Like many going into this, I am more than a casual enjoyer of classical and romantic music but was terribly bored throughout. Paul Bettany is wooden, one note and expressionless throughout - a far cry from F. Murray Abraham's absorbing portrayal. Meanwhile, Will Sharpe lacks the dynamism, energy and magnetism of Tom Hulce and even despite Mozart's apparent undiscovered Japanese heritage I just do not buy him as Amadeus. He simply lacks presence. I had such high hopes for this show but I've never been left so disappointed by modern entertainment. Emperor Joseph II remarked that Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail contained too many notes. Even if he was indeed wrong in his assessment, I felt a sense of irony given the utter pointlessness of stretching out a perfect film over five uninspiring episodes.

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