A Very Long Engagement (Un Long Dimanche De Fiancailles). Nonesuch Records

This film opens in the UK on the 21 January, 2005 following its massive success at home in France. The film reunites director Jeane-Pierre Jeunet and actress Audrey Tautou, who last worked together on another massively successful film, Amelie. A Very Long Engagement takes place at the closing stages of the First World War when Tautou’s fiancé is court-marshalled and forced to exist in the no-man’s land between French and German lines. The music is by Angelo Badalementi, long-time associate of director David Lynch, and writer of many superb film scores.

From the opening notes of the opening track, Main Title/The Trenches, one is left in no doubt as to the highly emotional and tragic nature of the scenario. The pace of the music is funereal, the tone is bass-driven, and the vibe is dark. Like the other tracks here an orchestra is used to add meaning and depth to the music and film’s sentiments. Only occasionally does the vibe lighten, but only with faint signs of optimism and perhaps hope. This is particularly the case in the second-half of the first track when brass comes into play, although it could also mean a heavenly demise…

The second track is First Love Touch possesses a more optimistic touch tinged with sadness from Badalementi and one can almost imagine boy and girl catching sight of each other after being apart for many years. Throughout this wonderful, haunting and moving soundtrack I sensed a feeling of repression, foreboding, and despair – in fact a film far removed from the comedy and lightness of Amelie. With its beautiful recurring musical theme, sad ambience, strong melodies and restrained playing, this is a very fine soundtrack, and one that makes me want to see the film.

4.5/5

Ocean’s Twelve. Warner

In complete contrast is David Holmes music for the follow-up to blockbuster Ocean’s Eleven. Ocean’s Twelve opens in the UK on the 7th February, 2005 and promises to match the success of its predecessor. As before, Holmes mixes his own upbeat compositions with older material from European composers such as Gianni Ferrio, Roland Vincent and Piero Umiliani. Opening track L’Appuntamento is a Ferrio composition delightfully sung by Italian pop star Ornella Vanoni. It’s a carefree opening followed immediately by a pounding, upbeat Holmes composition. Then a more funky, jazzy piece from Roland Vincent that is heavily overlaid with Hammond and reeks of lounge lizard days back in the 60’s. There are no real surprises here, no real adventure, just a soundtrack that probably fits the new film like the closest-fitting glove. Track five is bursting with funky humour in 10.35, I Turn Off Camera 3, while the next Umiliani orchestral track reminds me of a romantic interlude by shimmering blue Mediterranean waters. Holmes has done another great job and without doubt has booked his seat for the next, inevitable follow-up. A varied, largely retro and fun soundtrack.

4/5