Customer Reviews

Uptown Girls

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

More frequently in the last year I have found myself stopping at the store on the way home from a movie or making a special trip after seeing a DVD to pick up a soundtrack album (with "soundtrack album" defined as one in which they are songs by a collection of artists as compared to a more traditional musical score). I actually have a theory as to why this has been happening more often. The rule of thumb with such soundtracks has always been if there were three songs worth having (e.g., the soundtrack from "Philadelphia"). The soundtracks for "A Mighty Wind" and "Freaky Friday" easily meet that threshold, but they speak to a change in movie "musicals" (Oscar nominatin for "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow!" Yes!) Not that we have characters suddenly bursting into songs and giant production numbers, but rather than we have singing characters and songs that are key parts of the film and not just used as background (e.g., the use of Evanescene's "My Immortal" and "Bring Me to Life" in "Daredevil"). Current case in point, the soundtrack for "Uptown Girls."

This 2003 film recycles the old plot about two unlikely people who become friends. This time it is 23-year-old Molly Gunn (Brittany Murphy) and 8-year-old Ray Schleine (Dakota Fanning). Music is involved because Molly's dearly departed father was a rock legend whose one solo single was a song about his daughter and Ray's mom owns her own record label. Molly has a boyfriend, who is inspired about her to write a song, "Sheets of Egyptian Cotton," which is included on the album, sung by Jesse Spencer. The story is totally predictable in terms of the overall arcs, but the ending is quite affective. Molly does not want to hear the song here dad wrote about her, and at the end of this film we finally get to hear the song, "Molly Smiles." Now, if you are looking at the CD you should have already have seen the movie, which means you know that this song perfectly catches the moment. But think about how many plot threads that final scene brings together: (1) we get to hear "Molly Smiles," (2) Neal makes up with Molly, (3) we find out what happened to Tommy Gunn's guitars, (4) Ray makes up with Molly, (5) Ray finally dances free style, (6) Ray learned some moves from Molly, and (7) Ray wore Molly's designer tutu. There are probably more, but that is just off the top of my head.

I bet there are people who bought the DVD of "Uptown Girls" just to watch that scene (I watched the ending over a dozen times before I returned the DVD), but it is better to listen to the CD at work or driving the car. "Sheets of Egyptian Cotton" is the other prominent "real" song in the film (both were written by Carlos Melendez), and although the hook is catchy it will drive you crazy after a while (and it really does not seem to match the rest of the song). In terms of the background music the best of the bunch is the single released for the film's video, "Time" by Chantal Kreviazuk. "Charmed Life," the opening song by Leigh Nash is pretty good and Toby Lightman's "Frightened" is in the running, along with Erin McKeown's "Slung-Lo" and "Martina Sorbara's "Spinning Around the Sun." Like the "Freaky Friday" soundtrack, a lot of the songs are appropriately by female artists and makes for a pleasant enough album when you finally decide to play something else besides track 12. But you will probably pick this one up for the song about daddy's little girl because "Nothing's wrong when Molly smiles."

The movie was great, very good and cute! As far as the soundtrack goes, the only songs I really listen to are:

Charmed Life
E is for Everybody
Sheets of Egyptian Cotton
Night of Love, and
Molly Smiles

I especially bought this because I like Jesse Spencer and I wanted to hear him sing. I really like the way he performed all of his songs. Molly Smiles, and Sheets of Egyptian Cotton were really good and fit in with the movie.

I'm giving it 4 stars only because I didn't like a majority of the songs on the CD.

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this CD. One of the few CDs that I will listen to often. It has fast upbeat songs such as "Sheets of Egyptian Cotton" or relaxing songs such as "Charmed Life" I would recommend this CD to everyone and a great addition to this wonderful CD is the fantastic movie it is based on.

I saw the movie much later than everyone else did, and the second the movie was finished I ran to amazon and purchased the soundtrack. That's how fun it was.
1.Charmed Life- 9/10; very fun however it can get a little boring. Great for the first ten tims though!
2. Time- 10/10; one of my faves! People who have been confused about love or what to do about trusting people can really relate to this fun but heartfelt song (by the way, look up the artist of this song; she's in many soundtracks)
3. Slung-lo- 7/10; I really like the song, but when the chorus sings with the main singer it gets a bit girly
4. Spinning Around the Sun- 10/10 BEST SONG!!! This song is fabulous for a great feel-good day and really promotes happiness in stressful times.
5. Victory- 10/10 another BEST SONG!!!!!
6. On Your Own- 9/10; very good and very heartfelt for anyone.
7. E is For Everybody- 8/10; tyoo long, for the chorus repeats too many times (tedious)
8. Sheets of Egyptian Cotton- 8/10; only good if you've seen the movie; there's an inside jhoke to it.
9. Night of Love- 9/10 his voice is kinda annoying at this point, however it's a really beautiful song
10. Frightened- 10/10 a really beautiful song that is strangly feel-good because of the strength you feel when you hear it (yay!)
11. The Truth be Told- 7/10 nothing much to say except that it's kind of boring and the people singing's didn't have graet voives. Probably my least favorite
12. Molly Smiles- 10/10; again, you have to see the movie to totally understand, thought you'll definitely like it regardless! I can't stop listening to this song whenever I hear it!
13. Solo Piano (score)- 10/10; y'know, you would think it'd be boring because it is just piano yet it is strangly mytsterious and frightening for such a CD. Don't underestimate the power of this piano.

I loved this movie, so I loved this soundtrack even more! I loved all of the songs, and I've even heard of most of the artists on this CD. This is no I'm-trying-to-get-big-so-I'm-going-to-have-a-song-on-a-soundtrack type of CD. No one seemed to just want to get on ANY CD to make it big, so I really enjoyed this CD which is good. Please, check this CD out if you love chick music. I know I loved it, and I hope you do to!

I first heard the song "Molly Smiles" when I caught the last scene of the movie on televison. I fell in love with it. The song is memorable and this CD is worth the price. if I ever get "Molly Smiles" out of my head I'll let you know. The movie left me smiling, ...and she radiates a glow around her halo.

I am a huge fan of Dakota Fanning. She is not only cute, but very talented as well. I just had to buy this soundtrack after seeing the movie twice. I was definitely not disappointed. Every song is truly enjoyable and leaves you wanting more.

The "Uptown Girls" soundtrack is dominated by females and full of great music.
The variety of genres is exceptional: alternative, pop, and rock. "Time," performed by Chantal Kreviazuk, is one of the most beautiful and moving ballads I have ever heard. "Molly Smiles" will also elicit strong emotions from fans of the movie.
This soundtrack is refreshing in so many ways. Most of the artists have real musical talent. The entire album is pleasant to listen to. And, most importantly, the producers succeeded in capturing the spirit of the movie in musical form.

I bought this for "Molly Smiles" and now love it for "It's a Charmed Life," "Sheets of Egyptian Cotton" (best sung when you're in your PJs and your hair is loose around your head -- then you can whip it around while belting out the odd but contagious refrain: "Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah, sheets of Egyptian cotton"), "Night of Love," and, of course, "Molly Smiles."

Most people don't know that Jesse Spencer (currently Dr. Chase on "House, M.D.") sings, but he does, and quite nicely, too. He sings "Sheets of..." and "Molly Smiles" in the movie itself, as well as "Night of Love." See the DVD if you can. It's good and funny and silly, and you'll love the songs all the more for hearing them in the movie.

To make it easy for everyone I'll say it in one word: fun! you realy need to have this cd and when you feel that the world is not a nice place to be in,just put on "Uptown Girls" and go with the fun...