If, like me, you’re writhing in frustration at not having seen “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” yet, here’s some minor compensation — you can listen to it instead. The score, that is.
As you’re surely aware, it’s by Alexandre Desplat, who happens to be my favourite modern composer. That his only Oscar nomination thus far has come for his comparatively unadventurous work on “The Queen” is a shamefully inadequate testament to the creative breadth of his oeuvre.
His balancing of romanticism and minimalism in “Birth” made for the greatest score of the decade, in my opinion, while the snubbing of his lush, culturally expansive score for “Lust, Caution” was just one of numerous ways in which the Academy’s music branch proved themselves unfit for purpose last year. I could go into his equally gorgeous work on “The Beat That My Heart Skipped,” or “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” or “A Self-Made Hero,” or several other titles, but time is of the essence.
Anyway, suffice to say that his “Button” score sounds as layered, intelligent and seductive as you’d expect from Desplat — I can’t imagine the music branch turning a blind eye (or ear) to him this time. I only listened to a little, as I want to experience it in its entirety for the first time in the context of the film… I’m pedantic that way. But if you’re so inclined, check it out on the film’s BAFTA For Your Consideration site.
Comments
12 responses to “Well, it sure sounds pretty”
his score for “The Golden Compas” was one of the best of 2007. Too bad the movie did not match the greatness of the score.
Ironically I’m listening to the Benjamin Button score right now, before I even saw this blog… it’s truly enchanting. I love it.
Yeah, it’s utterly spectacular, one of the most beautiful scores of the decade. Looks like we have our winner; I can’t imagine anything else beating this.
I know… just listening to this, I think it could potentially be one of my favorites… ever. It’s that incredible.
Poor Thomas Newman :(
Looks like he may be losing yet again.
Ditto, Brittany.
Should have been nominated for “Beat…”
My favourite work of his is “The Painted Veil”. The film’s in every sense underappreciated.
I too am listening to it right now and putting it on my mp3-player as we speak. Already I can confirm it is brilliant, layered and stunningly beautiful. Wow, his best since Girl With A Pearl Earring.
Patrick: Glad to see someone else singling out “The Beat That My Heart Skipped.” Astonishing score, astonishing film.
“Birth” is still his masterwork for me, though. One of those rare occasions when I walked straight out of the cinema and into the CD store (I know, how quaint) to hunt down the soundtrack.
Great call, Chris. I love the “Painted Veil,” its score, its cinematography, but most of all, Naomi Watts fantastic work as Kitty.
Too bad the Oscar campaign didn’t match the caliber of movie, for all involved.
“Beat That My Heart Skipped” was in my top 5 for 2005.
Guy, I will revisit “Birth.” Thanks.
[…] • Just in case you hadn’t heard the name “Benjamin Button” enough this week, we were treated to the film’s score. […]