The Hudsucker Proxy

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Ever since Blood Simple The Coen's and Carter Burwell had a respected understanding, that guided them to successful collaborations and beyond. Carter Burwell is one of those composers I consider to be a guilty pleasure, a guilty pleasure whenever he composes something for The Coen's. And with wonderful scores as Miller's Crossing and Intolerable Cruelty, its easy to understand why he so successfully understands the movies of the Coen's, like Williams / Spielberg or Newton Howard / Shyamalan amongst many others. Now Burwell as said has got a knack for tying the musical genre down when he composes a certain kind of film. Its more done with an impeccable sound design then with the ultimate new blockbuster. But whatever you can say about the music, it fits so goddamn wonderful with the scenes and thereby he understands what a scene needs of musical oxygen. And with The Hudsucker Proxy that is no different. First of all, movies like these aren't made today frequently and like most of Coen's movies, its a superb mix of crazy humor, underestimated emotion and above all visual thrill and intelligence, carefully wrapped in the highest original form and mood. That I enjoyed the music with it isn't a big surprise because I feel the music plays a large role in defining the mood of the characters on screen. With a Film noir main theme, an amusing waltz and a minimalist character theme, Burwell defies the tone of this movie down, its that carefully placed and arranged to meet the needs of the film. That Carter Burwell offers his 2 most sprightly moments in the form of Aram Khachaturian is perhaps for most a downfall to this man's original voice but I see it differently. In the film there is a undeniable classic scene with Tim Robbins and Jennifer Jason Leigh, involving a kiss in black and white. Now when the love theme swells under this scene it sets down a brilliant film noire feel I haven't felt since L.A. Confidential of Jerry Goldsmith. Its simply brilliant and in 'Prologue' its completely based on Khachaturian's Spartacus Adagio. Maybe sad for the Burwell enthusiast, but not for the scene that became legendary through it.

This theme is softly performed on violin in 'Light Lunch' and through light piano and viola in 'Epilogue'. Its only expressive form is in the beginning of the album and shakes you in 1950 firmly good. The other classical moment is found in 'The Hula Hoop' and uses the Saber dance of Gayaneh in a sprightly form, supported with variations of that material on Burwell style. The other material I suppose is all Burwell's and his Norville theme at least feels that way for sure. In 'Norville Suite' a minimalist rise is noticed, in 'Walk of Shame' its played on a heavier tone but supported through a delightful choral climax and in 'Norville's End' spiced on Burwell emotion through its choral end and flute work. Other keen Burwell moments are where he expresses the feel and tone of the so called boss of Hudsucker Proxy, usually performed with solo vocal like in 'Waring's Descent', 'The Wheel Turns' and in 'Useful' with supporting bells. But Burwell can be most expressive when he just composes his style in a matter of a minute, and 'The Chase' seems to have nothing but a fun rhythmic march but its so stunning how he does it, and especially closes with an orchestral fanfare that shivers the spine. Sadly, what really puts The Hudsucker Proxy back on earth is the running length. I almost forgot how short the older Var鋊e albums were because under half an hour Burwell just can't finish his score on the mood he started it. Its just sinking in the moment the button demands for a replay of the music. Luckily that is possible because its neatly presented on CD. Again a true Burwell fan will enjoy every second of this disc because its such a clever little score, full of emotion, film noir magic and above all it sets down a mood and an expressive mood at that. In all my life, few little scores could present their meaning down on such a small amount of time but Burwell and The Hudsucker Proxy do just that. For that amazing contribution to the film and its characters, I give this score an A+ for trying, and an A for succeeding.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Prologue * (3.20) Excellent Track

2. Norville Suite (3.52)

3. Waring's Descent (0.27)

4. The Hud Sleeps (2.13)

5. Light Lunch * (1.39)

6. The Wheel Turns (0.50)

7. The Hula Hoop ** (4.12)

8. Useful (0.41)

9. Walk Of Shame (1.23) Excellent Track

10. Blue Letter (0.43)

11. A Long Way Down (1.46)

12. The Chase (1.03) Excellent Track

13. Norville's End (3.53) Excellent Track

14. Epilogue * (2.08)

15. Norville's Reprise (1.21)

* Composed by Aram Khachaturian, arranged by Carter Burwell

** Composed by Aram Khachaturian, arranged by C. Burwell & Todd Kasow

Total Length: 29.47

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=== Link to Composer Site: Carter Burwell ===