One of my most anticipated films of the year, from MOONLIGHT director Barry Jenkins and based on a James Baldwin novel, just premiered a couple nights ago at the Toronto International Film Festival, and critics and industry people who were there are absolutely raving about Britell's score.
Some excerpts from reviews:
· "Cinematographer James Laxton’s vivid palette merges with Nicholas Britell’s swooning musical compositions as the movie assembles its narrative out of small moments..." —Eric Kohn, Indiewire
· "...composer Nicholas Britell gives Tish and Fonny orchestral string pieces so haunting and poignant that one pull of the bow feels like hours playing inside these intimate images." —Matt Donnelly, The Wrap
· "In terms of the almost blanket underscoring, Jenkins’ use of music recalls some of Spike Lee’s collaborations with Terence Blanchard. Combining Nicholas Britell’s caressing string compositions with deep cuts by artists like Miles Davis, Al Green, Nina Simone and John Coltrane, the sound is lush to the point of distraction at times, but it certainly adds to the intoxicating pleasure." —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
Some reactions on Twitter:
· "IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK: absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful love story, and an unfair tale of injustice, lyrically told by the talented @BarryJenkins. The cinematography, the score, the performances... just remarkable" —Alicia Malone, TCM Host
· "@BarryJenkins has a trifecta. His mastery of color and tones, and their interplay with emotion is unreal. Like the string laden score, he stirs you in waves, in refrains, each time hitting you harder & w more breath than the previous. Amazing!" —Robert Daniels, 812filmReviews.com
· "IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK: goodness gracious that score."
· "IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK is a carefully crafted love letter to love. perfectly captures the spirit of baldwin while very much being it's only piece of art. & the music is stunning"
· "Nicholas Britell deserves at least 14 Oscars for his incredible score."
· "Another HEAVY, emotional drama from Barry Jenkins that nearly says more in what’s NOT said than in its excellent script. Great ensemble performance and an awesome score."
· "IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK: about a dozen amazing performances. Pure empathy. A heartbreaking american melodrama on par with Douglas Sirk. A towering achievement tied together with a beautiful score. Jenkin's camera & heart are unbeatable. Moonlight was just the start."
And a few from Letterboxd:
· "Music is tremendous. Set direction is tremendous. Adapting Baldwin is no easy task so good third film out of the gate by Jenkins, despite all the pressure."
· "A beautiful film that boasts the supporting performance of the year by Brian Tyree Henry. As well, Nicholas Britell's score is utter perfection."
· "An utterly devastating gut-punch, with immaculate craft and probably the most stirring/my favourite score of the year..."
· "Pure bliss. Lord Almighty, Barry Jenkins is a master. This film is LOVE. A sumptuous jazzy score compliments this heartrending love story that would most certainly make James Baldwin proud."
· "Stunning performances, stunning cinematography, and stunning score. This movie does everything right."
It almost feels like there's no way it could live up to these raves, but I loved MOONLIGHT (film & score) and any time Jenkins talked about his collaboration with Britell it seemed like they were really perfectly & beautifully in sync, so I'm eager to believe the praise.
The film won't be out until November 30 and there's no word yet on a soundtrack album, but I assume someone will put it out!
I saw the film at TIFF and immediately following the screening, I went to Amazon to see if there was a pre-order for the soundtrack. The score is absolutely beautiful. It's a stunning film. The choice of songs is also excellent.
The score is better than the film, the movie itself has several good working elements, but as a whole it lays dramatically flat, it just never comes together, it is like wallpaper. Some good scenes but it never really comes together entirely.
