Search - Patrick Doyle :: Secondhand Lions [Original Motion Picture Score]

Uneven, but worthwhile

James Luckard | Los Angeles, CA | 09/27/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If, like me, you struggled to notice the music in this film, don't worry, the album represents Doyle's contribution far better than the actual film, where his music is often mixed to almost nothing. Patrick Doyle is one of the most gifted composers around at creating lush, heartbreaking orchestral melodies, but with this film he was given very little to work with. There simlpy weren't any scenes that lent themselves to big, sustained musical set pieces. For that matter, he has little time to even develop themes, most of the cues are extremely short, and many have more of a "background music" sound than I am used to from Doyle.There is some fun 1930's Korngold style stuff for the flashbacks, but it pales next to the rousing action music he has done before.However, one of Doyle's most gorgeous themes is in here, if you seek it out. Tracks 18 and 23, as well as the final piano solo, contain a sweet, melancholy tune which is achingly orchestrated in 18 into one of the highlights of Doyle's film scoring career. I don't imagine this is an album that the average moviegoer will be picking up, the music is too subtle, but Doyle fans should know this is well worth buying."