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Author	Topic: The Cider House Rules

Andrew Oscar® Winner	This morning I downloaded the main theme of "The Cider House Rules" from Napster, I loved it, and about an hour later I bought the soundtrack on Amazon. Not before I read a few reviews. Everybody seemed to like it but I would like to hear some more feedback on it, so if anyone would like to comment on, plese do.... -Andrew
posted 07-08-2000 02:04 PM PT (US)

H Rocco Oscar® Winner	I thought it was pretty, but insubstantial. I heard it with the film, and would not buy an album of it, because I feel like I've ALREADY got it. Pretty much every Rachel Portman score to date has been interchangeable, and although I loved her Oscar-winning work on EMMA -- and the little-remembered WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD before that, which is how I discovered her -- I think it's about time she pull some other trick out of the bag. Her melodies and, especially, orchestrations tend to be a bit simplistic. THE CIDER HOUSE RULES is almost the same score as EMMA, which was already rather like (though superior to) WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD. But it served its film well enough, which is the first thing that counts. Portman's other capacity to date has been the "quirky independent" score, e.g. SMOKE and PALOOKAVILLE (this latter produced by her husband, Uberto Pasolini). These tend to be listenable, but even less weighty than her dramatic stuff. I'd have been very curious to hear her score MULAN, as originally intended -- it would necessarily have represented a real stretch for her -- but she bowed out due to pregnancy -- she said. How hard can it be to sit down and write music when you're pregnant? It's not like you just lie in bed for nine months, swallowing ice cream and watching the soaps. And she doesn't conduct her own stuff, anyway, so she wouldn't have that extra burden. (Yeah, what do I or will I ever know about being pregnant, but I mentioned this to Mommy Joan, and she agreed with me! So there!) Who knows why Portman bowed out of MULAN. I suspect it's outside her range, but that's just based on what I've heard -- she does have talent, and talent always demands a stretch. NP: air conditioner. Maybe I'll put in AMAZING STORIES.
posted 07-08-2000 02:35 PM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	Well, I liked the score. Rocco, try Beloved, it's very different. Scott
posted 07-08-2000 03:02 PM PT (US)

PeterK FishChip	Mr. H, Try The Joy Luck Club or Sirens on for size. If you already have, what's your take? I find these two to be Rachel Portman essentials... PeterK NP - "The Patriot"
posted 07-08-2000 08:20 PM PT (US)

H Rocco Oscar® Winner	Oh man, I'm going to take heat for this one, I guess. I saw THE JOY LUCK CLUB, and liked the movie a lot, but wasn't really impressed by the score. SIRENS, I never saw or heard. BELOVED -- I bought a cheap copy of that on spec, never have quite gotten all the way through it. Sometimes it takes several listens for something to sink in, though. I never saw the movie, which might have aided my perception of BELOVED. NP: CONTRACT ON CHERRY STREET (by some guy)
posted 07-08-2000 10:22 PM PT (US)

sabbey Oscar® Winner	The Cider House Rules is great IMO, however since this and Only You are the only scores I own of her work. It might not be compared to the rest of her output. Either way, I suggest it wholeheartedly for what it is, an great score. BTW, would anyone know if The Joy Luck Club is in print still? For the last 6 months or so, I have not been able to locate a Copy. Regards, Sean Robert Abbey
posted 07-08-2000 11:44 PM PT (US)

H Rocco Oscar® Winner	Mr. Abbey, you really should seek out EMMA and WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD.
posted 07-09-2000 12:07 AM PT (US)

JJH Oscar® Winner	I really loved her Road to Wellville score CD. yes, dialogue was mixed in with the music at points, but oh what dialogue!! the music is fun and raucous! sabbey, I happened to find myself a copy of Joy Luck Club used. There may be another copy in my area. I'll check.
posted 07-09-2000 06:19 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	A bit repetitive, but one of the most beatiful scores in my collection. I found it nice in the movie, but didn't think I'd buy it. Until I heard it again at the Academy Awards. It's the only Portman score I've ever heard, so I can't compare it, either. NP: Jaws Expanded
posted 07-09-2000 06:21 AM PT (US)

sabbey Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by H Rocco: Mr. Abbey, you really should seek out EMMA and WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll make sure to do just that. Has anyone heard her score for Benny and Joon or Addicted to Love? Regards, Sean Robert Abbey
posted 07-09-2000 10:28 AM PT (US)

Howard L Oscar® Winner	Interesting. That's the second time someone's mentioned Beloved in response to a Portman-indifferent respondent. Obviously I'm one, too, and I believe it was mlw who told me to check out Beloved. Anyway, I could have easily included the name Portman with the pair of Newmans cited in that "Assessing film music" thing. Never been sent by her film music, including Cider House; closest was War Of The Buttons. Just may give Beloved a try but I hear the movie's not that good.
posted 07-09-2000 05:06 PM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	Howard, mind you that I suggested Beloved because it is different. I haven't seen the movie and am not planning to. I have the score because I heard good things about it. I personnally don't like it very much, but it has some good parts. Anyway it is very much different from Cider. Just thought I set the record kinda straight...u know. Scott NP:Heidi (this guy Johnny Williams. Hmmm...never heard of him before. He sounds alot like John Williams. Very peculiar...)
posted 07-09-2000 05:51 PM PT (US)

H Rocco Oscar® Winner	Mr. Abbey, I'd completely forgotten about BENNY & JOON ... I think I have it in the basement someplace. That falls into the same "wacky-comical" category as PALOOKAVILLE, but actually has a nice payoff. The movie is fun, too. Also a nice theme song by those Irish twins who names I can never remember, "Hundred Miles," I think it's called. (the song, not the twins)
posted 07-09-2000 06:13 PM PT (US)

Captain Howdy Oscar® Winner	Portman's "Cider House Rules" was one of my absolute favorites from last year. Loved it from begining to end. Portman has the perfect touch for light dramatic music, and it NEVER gets repetative or melodramatic. One of her best. Others I would recommend are Sirens, Emma, War of the Buttons, and Joy Luck Club. Portman rarely dissapoints.
posted 07-09-2000 06:38 PM PT (US)

Scorro Oscar® Winner	Cider House stands on its own just fine as a beautiful score. I purchased CHR after acquiring A Pyromaniacs Love Story specifically for the Ethan Frome tracks; melancholy, but portraying the New England landscape and character in a deep, haunting and, again, beautiful manner. Portman's revisitation of New England makes for an excellent listen for anyone who enjoyed her music in the movie. _Sc
posted 07-10-2000 12:34 AM PT (US)

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