Customer Reviews

The Talented Mr. Ripley: Music from the Motion Picture Score

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the soundtrack for Anthony Minghella's scenically dazzling psycho-thriller "The Talented Mr. Ripley". As music, and in particular jazz, plays an important part in the film, it is not surprising that jazz tracks are the dominant feature of this CD, and these include fine contributions from the Guy Barker International Quintet, Charlie Parker, Miles Davies, Dizzy Gillespie etc. There is also a sultry Italian song "Guaglione" performed with considerable charm by Marino Marini and a mesmerising rendition of "You Don't Know What Love Is" by John Martyn. One big surprise is Matt Damon's singing of "My Funny Valentine". Although his vocals may not be of top quality, his performance, which eerily resembles that of Chet Baker, can certainly make those who have seen the film recall the fateful encounter of Tom Ripley and Dickie Greenleaf and the psychological tension that lurks beneath their relationship. Besides the solo, Damon also teams up with Jude Law and Fiorello for an ebullient "Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano". In addition to the jazz offerings, there is also a short but beautiful extract from Vivaldi's Stabat Mater. Other than these, there are 8 tracks specifically composed by Gabriel Yared and Anthony Minghella for the film, all of them are of good quality and are atmospherically evocative. Besides "Italia", which evokes the serenity in the sun-bathed Mediterranean coast and the languidly sensuous "Promise", most of these newly composed music are developed basically from 2 contrasting themes. One of them (used in "Crazy Tom" and "Ripley") conjures up an atmosphere of suspense, tension and agitation while the other (used in "Proust" and "Syncopes") is simple, intimate (such effect being highlighted by the use of vibraphone) yet hauntingly melancholic and which is further developed into a song entitled "Lullaby for Cain", performed here by Sinead O'Connor. All in all, this CD contains a wonderful mix of jazz, classical and film music and will certainly make pleasurable listening even when divorced from the screen images. It may even serve to introduce people who are interested in the film to the world of jazz. As such, it can be recommended with enthusiasm.

A perfect mix of italian songs, jazz and instrumental music, this soundtrack really evokes the film, recreating its characters, mood and atmosphere. If you liked the movie, listening to the CD will bring you back to the movie theater!

The CD begins with "Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano" (my favorite), a napolitan song from the 50's, which embodies Dickie Greeleaf's joyous and carefree lifestyle, a nice counterpart to "Lullaby for Cain", by Gabriel Yared and Anthony Minghella, a song that both opens and represents the tragic story of a man without an identity, driven to kill the object of his affection.

Like the movie, Yared's score for "The Talented Mr. Ripley" beats its precedent, Nino Rota's music for the french film "Purple Noon".

The score's best track, "Crazy Tom", with involving string music (the comparison to Herrmann's work in "Psycho" is unavoidable) and mediterranean tunes, perfectly functions as Ripley's theme. "Italia" and "Mischief" are also great.

Last, even those who are not jazz lovers, like myself, will enjoy the tracks performed by the Guy Barker International Quintet. Matt Damon is also a good surprise singing "My Funny Valentine".

My only complaint about this otherwise perfect soundtrack is the absence of the Mozart (?) piano sonata played by Ripley through the movie.

I must agree with Mr. Walker's review below in that I believe that the 'Talented Mr. Ripley' will be the score to beat in this year's awards competitions. Here are just a few reasons why:

1) This is a wonderful mixture of sounds that complement each other: contemporary song, great jazz (including 50's greats Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker), atmospheric mood music, and a dash of Renaissance classical 'Stabat Mater.' Even the Chet Baker-ish 'My Funny Valentine' gives the audience a familiar tune at the beginning, a song, as Mr. Minghella has said, that 'contains lyrics that say the romantic words someone would want to say, but would be too corny in anything but a song.' It captures the 50's setting of jazz and romance -- and a bit of irony in the very title itself -- allowing Minghella to substitute music for Highsmith's 'art society' in the original book.

2) The instrumental dark passages, particularly 'Crazy Tom,' 'Mischief,' and 'Ripley' are very much in the Bernard Herrman vein with their underscore of glissandos, staccato strings, and haunting refrains. The use of unusual instrument combinations is particularly striking, ranging from full Hermannesque mini-symphonies for strings a la 'Psycho', to a strange, beautiful duet for xylophone and something that sounds like a digeridoo. Beautiful! And for sheer creepiness, check out the 'music box' celeste on the cue, 'Proust,' with its use of flats that explore the subconscious. 3) The original songs are truly original, and as much as Yared did for Alainis Morrisette in his top-selling score for 'City of Angels,' here for his title sequence, he has created 'Lullaby for Cain,' perfect for the moody Sinead O'Connor's saintly and somewhat demented-child voice (see her as the Virgin Mary in 'The Butcher Boy' and you'll see what I mean). Darker yet, and easily overlooked, is the brilliant last song 'You Don't Know What Love Is' sung by John Martyn (a dead ringer for Louis Armstrong -- perfect in a film about dopplegangers), which thematically ties the film together, yet stands alone as a great sexy jazz ballad all its own (apparently written initially for an old Abbot and Costello comedy!).

4) Last, great liner notes from the director himself, Anthony Minghella, that pay homage not to his work as a great director, but homage to a great composer, Gabriel Yared, complete with thorough explanations of almost every cue in the film. Would that there were more good liner note writers today who could show how visual and audial components go together artistically.

In a year of few soundtrack standouts (with the exception of John Corigliano's brilliant 'Red Violin' and large portions of John William's 'Phantom Menace'), Yared's music for 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' is sheer perfection, and a wonderful soundtrack album that is just as beautiful to listen to apart from the film as with the film. This is one album that truly gives you your money's worth.

A great compilation of original score music from Mr. Yared, (I'll be suprised if he is not nominated for an Oscar for best Score)and a great collection of the older jazz styles reminicent of the 40s and 50s.

Standouts for me were the haunting "Syncopes" which sends you deep into your inner world, "Tu Vuo Fa L Americano" for its life loving celebration of life, "Mischief" which made me laugh because it nailed perfectly the great mystery music themes of the 50s and 60s and "Italia" which couldn't have done a better job of making you picture the sun drenced coastline of a sleepy Italian village.

My only complaint is that the soundtrack did not contain the beautiful score that the movies first teaser trailer was shown with, in which a female singer voices an incredible aria which fades into a low bewitching finale. If anyone knows where I can get my hands on it I'd be grateful if you let me know where I can find it as that was the initial reason I bought the album.

All together it is an album that will compliment an evening of intimate conversation with friends or quiet reflection.

Like "The English Patient," I purchased this soundtrack well before seeing the movie. For "The English Patient," hearing the theme on the Oscar telecast aroused my interest.

After reading Patricia Highsmith's "The Talented Mr. Ripley," and with the knowledge that Anthony Minghella was going to adapt it for the screen, I knew that it is going to be a great movie. My expectation heighten when I learned that he was going to have Gabriel Yared score this movie, as with "The English Patient."

I purchased this CD two days after it came out, and can't seem to put it down. From beginning to end, it is a great mixture of jazz and classical music (Yared's score). I especially enjoy the selections "Crazy Tom," "Italia" and "Lullaby for Cain." Sinead O'Connor shines - as always - and the tune is quite eerie. "Italia" is used the most recent threatrical trailer for the movie - it is the second piece of music - and reminds me a little of "The Godfather" love theme. "Crazy Tom" reminds me of "Psycho"'s opening theme with its great use of strings and great feeling of suspense.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE TO COME OUT - DECEMBER 23, 1999.

Buy the CD, then go and enjoy the movie.

The best score I've purchased this year next to Piero Piccioni's 'Swept Away...'. I've followed Gabriel Yared since '84's 'Invitation au Voyage', but this is his best work to date. As one reviewer has noted, there is a lovely resemblance to the best of Bernard Herrmann's 'Vertigo' mode here that escapes overt sentimentality or hamfistedness. God knows I've played this CD 100 times in the last three days. Like the film, it is provocative, dark, lovely, and wonderfully haunting. Haunt me some more. Includes Miles Davis' classic love-me-and-dump-me-baby blues tune, 'Nature Boy'. I don't regret a penny of the 17 dead presidents I spent on this score. It's packaged lushly with great notes, but I would've eaten more photos from the film with a spoon. High art is rare, but this is - hands down- nothing less than a ravishing pop achievement in film and music.

The Talented Mr. Ripley has fast become my favorite cd. I love the carefree jazz selections, especially Tu Vuo' fa L'Americano and You Don't Know what Love Is. Gabriel Yared has once again accomplished the task of expressing the emotions of a movie through the music. Everytime I hear Lullaby for Cain or Crazy Tom , I am instantly taken back to the movie. I did enjoy Matt Damon's cover of My Funny Valentine. His breathiness adds a certain note of longing to the song. I was pleased that the excerpt from Stabat Mater was included. My cd will probably get worn out from it's repeated playings. Kudos to Gabriel Yared and Matt Damon!

To everyone (Attn. reviewer Valiant) who disappointed the soundtrack didn't contain the beautiful score that the movie's first teaser was shown with, in which a female singer voices an incredible aria - here's the answer. You can hear exactly the one from album called 'Cafe del Mar - ARIA' The track is 4th one called 'Dido' and it's sung by Michelle Ivey This one is highly recommended as the soundtrack Must listen!

This is a terrific collection of songs and excerpts that not only evokes memories of the wonderfully complex film by Anthony Minghella, but that also stands on its own as a great CD for those seeking to expand their listening interests into the jazz arena. Standouts on the disk include the haunting and delicate "Lullaby for Cain" as sung by Sinead O'Connor (and co-written by Minghella himself), such jazz standards as "Nature Boy" and "You Don't Know What Love Is," some Bach for the classical lovers, and a pretty decent Chet Baker impersonation by Matt Damon himself on "My Funny Valentine." The disk also offers excerpts of the outstanding score by Gabriel Yared which are as varied as the title character himself, and are by turns playful, lyrical, romantic, and disturbing. A great buy for movie-music lovers.

The CD "Talented Mr. Ripley" is a great feast of music for the movie lover, jazz lover, and anyone who wants a little bit of nice background music to their lives. "Lullaby for Cain" captures the haunting film perfectly, while the jazz elements make for a rich diversity. This is a great CD to have running during a quiet party, or for a time when you need a few moments of relaxation. A great buy!