Death Becomes Her

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

This score proves again the trustworthy talents of Alan Silvestri and is one score that works flawlessly into the motion picture, in other words: "it fits the movie like a glove". But in other circumstances Death Becomes Her is one of the most disappointing listens of its time, because it doesn't offer even a spot of musical magic. I am also the one to pinpoint that in the case of the movie, again Robert Zemeckis at the control, this score doesn't need a Silvestri sound we all know but of course you wish a bit more at the end when you listen to it on disc. This movie takes the limits to the impossible and becomes mostly enjoyable when Silvestri's music reaches the really dark, almost nostalgic line. But take the subject out of its context and we have a listen that doesn't do anything on a compact disc. Death Becomes Her uses the exact word, it is like this score is dead.

Many have probably already heard the end titles of Death Becomes Her (found on Silvestri's Castaway release) and taken completely out of its nature, that particular piece is enjoyable. But for 35 minutes it is 30 minutes, way 30 minutes too long. The violins create a nostalgic mood and Silvestri very well captures the essence on screen but that's basically it. '"Me"' is one of the only pieces where it offers the listener a different style of sound and while this isn't high art, the comedic medley of Meryl Streep is enjoyable for all its worth. The music of Silvestri itself works and clicks all the right buttons but only the 'End Credits' do make me a happy soldier, sadly it has to happen at the end of the disc. And this makes Death Becomes Her even more of a drag to listen to.

Basically this soundtrack offers us dark shrieking violins with a sense of mystery or tragedy but never something remotely different in mood. You can as director or producer only be blessed with a score like this, for that particular genre but movie fans who enjoy a good listen will not feel the same way. Its like this score simply doesn't offer us music but a constant tone or motif that tries to work as musical material. Alan Silvestri delivered the ultimate ode of movie music accompaniment but outside it fails miserable as enjoyment or pleasure. This Death Becomes Her gets the credit inside the movie, loses it outside of it and never rises above the sheer listening quality, making it a darn shame for a release on disc.

\ľ1/2/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (1.36)

2. "Me" * (2.55)

3. Woman On The Verge (1.01)

4. Lisle (1.04)

5. A Touch Of Magic (2.18)

6. Now, A Warning (0.49)

7. Sempre Viva (1.47)

8. Another Drunk Driver (2.10)

9. Hurry Up, You Wimp (1.59)

10. It's Alive (2.43)

11. Helen Spies (2.03)

12. Another Miracle (2.26)

13. I'll Be Upstairs (0.43)

14. Loving You (3.12)

15. I'd Rather Die (2.43)

16. End Credits (5.46)

* Performed by Meryl Streep, Music by Geoffrey Aymar

Total Length: 35.53

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Alan Silvestri ===