In a career spanning over five decades, the veteran actor has touched on every genre
Actor F. Murray Abraham rose to fame with his award-winning performance as Antonio Salieri in the 1984 drama film Amadeus. For his exuberance of performance, Abraham won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA nomination. In a career spanning over five decades, Abraham has performed various roles layered in numerous layers and shades besides being a great theatre actor. In fact, his acting prowess is not just limited to films or the theatre, Abraham has enchanted the audience with his skills on the television. One can find this versatile actor across mediums excelling in various genres. Here are a few of his films that one must watch.
Amadeus This 1984 period biographical drama is a film by Miloš Forman and adapted by Peter Shaffer from his 1979 stage play Amadeus. Set in Vienna, Austria during the latter half of the 18th century, the film is basically a fictionalized story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from the time he left Salzburg. In fact, you will hear Mozart's music extensively in the soundtrack of the film. The story of the film follows a fictional rivalry between Mozart played by Tom Hulce, and Italian composer Antonio Salieri, played by Murray Abraham, at the court of Emperor Joseph II. From story to execution to the acting chops of these actors gave this film 53 awards and 40 nominations.
The Name of the Rose This1986 Italian-West German-French mystery and historical drama by Jean-Jacques Annaud is based on the novel of the same name by Umberto Eco. It stars Sean Connery as a Franciscan friar, who is called upon to solve a deadly mystery in a medieval abbey. But among various problems, controversies, intellectual challenges, and William’s desire to disprove fears of a demonic culprit, an old adversary of William from his former time as an inquisitor called Bernardo Gui, played by Abraham appears and gives the story a great twist.
The Grand Budapest Hotel This2014 comedy-drama film written and directed by Wes Anderson stars Ralph Fiennes as Monsieur Gustave H., a famed concierge of a 20th century mountainside resort in the fictional country of Zubrowka in Central Europe. The story picks up when Gustave is framed for the murder of a wealthy dowager, so he along with his recently befriended protégé Zero, played by Tony Revolori, embarks on a quest for fortune and a priceless Renaissance painting. Abraham as the older Zero drives the story in a great direction.
A few of his other films worth a mention are The Bonfire of the Vanities, An Innocent Man, Mighty Aphrodite and Finding Forrester among others.
