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Author	Topic: Boys don't cry

jonathan axworthy unregistered	Music is the emotional link in the chain of events being portrayed on the screen. Right? I suspect that most of the people watching a film, will not be conscious of the effect the music is having or has had, on their sub-conscious. But if it has moved them in some way, then it has succeeded in it's purpose, which is to heighten the drama, and convey what the actor has not been able to. The undefinable 'something', which causes the heart to beat faster, tears come unbidden to the eyes and a lump into the throat. But what of the music itself. Can it/should it have the same effect here, in my home? The answer, for me, is a definite yes. The healing of lame boy from KING OF KINGS. The miracle and transformation from BEN-HUR. The girl from Patusan from LORD JIM. The death of Christian in MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY. The home from THE FISHERMEN. The love theme from ROMEO AND JULIET. The reunion from EMPIRE OF THE SUN. Elegy from HOLOCAUST. Amarcord, main title from AMARCORD and others too numerous to mention. Why? Because I feel and am able to respond without any inhibitions, to it's effect on me. And is'nt that what it is supposed to do, and how the composer hoped I would respond? Music that takes a grip and will not let go until it has run it's course. I guess it's a very personal, private thing, beyond analysis, and we probably all react to the music in our own way. Anyone else willing to unlock their door? Jonathan
posted 02-22-2001 04:10 PM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	When I watched Jurassic Park in the theater, I had tears in my eyes during the scene of the lake with the dinosaurs. That was before I turned to film music, and thus I found out much later WHY I was so moved by that scene. I also believe most of the people who cried during E.T. don't know the true reason for it. Music on CD can move me (e.g. that same music from Jurassic Park), but it doesn't move me to tears unless I envision the scenes for it (provided that it is film music). On the other hand, I watched a concert of John Williams music on TV, and although the visuals were just the orchestra playing the music (and not even a very good orchestra, it wasn't conducted by Williams either), these visuals made me cry during the whole 30 minutes of the broadcast.
posted 02-22-2001 04:21 PM PT (US)

Richard Oscar® Winner	I um, cough, excuse me, I have something in my eye...
posted 02-22-2001 04:22 PM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	Dang. Odd. I was just working one something similar to this. It'll be up soon. Scott
posted 02-22-2001 09:24 PM PT (US)

Gae Oscar® Winner	I was just thinking about this very subject on the way home tonight while listening to Elmer Bernstein's score to "Slipstream". The music is very spiritually uplifting and moving and I was thinking how many movies I have been moved by as a direct result of the beauty and spirit embellished in the composers heart through his music. Someone mentioned E.T. What would the ending of E.T. be like with out William's amazingly moving music? Just a kid kissing a rubber-face creature goodbye before he disappears back home The music creates the heartache and feeling of loss like nothing else can do. How about "Casablanca"? Where would Bogart and Bergman's relationship be without the emotionally inspiring "As Time Goes by". Just a couple who used to know each other and met in Paris once. How about that great flashback scored to Steiner's wonderful arrangement of the song. In reality just Bogart and Bergman smiling in front of a rear projection scene of the Seine river. All of the emotion, memories, everything is captured in that melody, such is the power of music. Another memorable moving scene from the same movie would have to be the singing of "La Marseille". All of the feeling of humanity/pride and emotion we see in Bergman's yearning face as she looks admiringly at Paul henreid are I believe are really in the music itself which has the power to evoke all those feelings on a purely instinctive, visceral level. Would King Kong's death have been half as tragic without Steiner's heart rendering music? I doubt it. These are just a few examples that I can think of for why I love film music so much. The most memorable scenes in movie history invariably have been scored by the most memorable pieces of music in film history. Think about it. The end of Close Encounters with Williams music, Jaws...you just have to hear a couple of notes to see the shark. These are very cliched examples I know but answer me this question which I would really like to know. Which most recent movies have had the same spiritually moving moments accompanied by wonderful music? I dont just mean a heart thumping driving rhythm to a score which gives you an adrenalin rush, but a piece of music which has transcended the subject matter and given the viewer an almost spiritual experience. Maybe I'm just getting old and croaky but there doesn't seem to be many films around that have this kind of affecting music these days. Maybe I'm wrong and its just that great music needs time to ferment over the years like a good wine and can only be truly appreciated with the passing of time. Anyone agree/disagree? The most recent score to give me this feeling of awe at the beauty of the music has been Bernstein's "Slipstream" and thats 12 years old! Gae NP Zulu and other themes [Message edited by Gae on 02-24-2001]
posted 02-23-2001 02:55 PM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	The Mighty. The one track on there gives me that kind of feeling. Every time. Scott NP: The Mighty
posted 02-23-2001 03:06 PM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by Gae: Maybe I'm just getting old and croaky but there doesn't seem to be many films around that have this kind of affecting music these days. I can't think of a particular scene, but Chicken Run is 50% score (and it would be great even without a score ). Nearly a tear-jerker in some places, simply because dramaturgy and score are handled so well. NP: Dennis the Menace (Jerry Goldsmith)
posted 02-23-2001 03:30 PM PT (US)

H Rocco Oscar® Winner	hey Jonathan Axworthy, if I admit that the remake of MIGHTY JOE YOUNG gets me misty, will that be enough to bring you back? We haven't heard from you in a LONG time, man! And I'm with Marian: the lakeside sequence in JURASSIC PARK (I own the deluxe DVD now!!!) gets to me too. "They do move in herds ... they DO move in herds!" (you follow my meaning)
posted 03-24-2001 11:44 PM PT (US)

John C Winfrey Oscar® Winner	Jonathan, I follow and understand what you are saying. I can relate to that. By the way, have you noticed the long string of films that Rod Steiger was in during the '60s and '70s where he had at least one crying scene in every movie during that time? Dr. Zhivago, In the Heat of the Night, Waterloo, No Way to Treat a Lady, The Sergeant and so on. He cried in every one of them. John.
posted 03-25-2001 03:49 PM PT (US)

John C Winfrey Oscar® Winner	And pitch in The Illustrated Man too. JW.
posted 03-25-2001 03:52 PM PT (US)

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