Search - Thomas Newman :: The Player: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Great Stuff

04/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An incredible movie is only made more so by the refreshing score. It is discordant, lovely, and as percussive as the main character's racing heartbeat. How wonderful to find a score that is as much a part of the movie as the cinematography."

Mysteriously Satisfying

G. Thomas | San Carlos, CA United States | 08/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An odd score for an odd movie; here, odd is interchangeable with brilliant. The stark film itself is a masterpiece -- perhaps it's Altman at his best. Perhaps Tolkin's screenplay (which mocks Hollywood in many ways; for instance, the film states that a movie's success can only occur with certain ingredients such as sex, violence, and a happy ending, and then still ironically includes all of them) necessitates Newman to score it, as he is of a Hollywood family dynasty, with his late father Alfred, cousin Randy, and brother David all in the scoring business as well. It's a fine job Thomas does here, though more of the film's moods and tones are evoked by this soundtrack than the film's plotline.



However, there are several tracks worthy of notation, as they are quite pleasing to the senses if you are a fan of Newman's percussive style: Track 4, titled "Main Title" (though its first five seconds or so are rather startling, but I suppose it was necessary to through the audience off guard, as it's the first thing they hear in the film); Track 2, titled "St. James," which stirs a light sense of evesdropping and mystery; Track 17, titled "Opening 3," which adds Newman's harmonic xylophones into the mix; Track 19, titled "The Player," which masterfully adds irony to the film's "out-of-place" conclusion by nearly sounding Egyptian; and Track 10, titled "Desert Drive," which was my original reason for purchasing this CD in the first place. "Desert Drive" has a sort of flowing, energetic feel to it, perhaps because of its soft, quick piano cues, or perhaps because of its swift, subdued, and everchanging electronics in the background. Listening to Track 10 is like watching the water of a large river cascade about, quickly passing you by while always beautifully morphing from one indiscreet shape to the next... Additionally, the great Jack Lemmon plays a piano rendition of "Silent Night" on this CD, performed in the actual movie.



Not quite Newman's best CD, but one of his best songs (can you guess which?) is included. Worthy of many listenings."