Matchstick Men

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

I think Matchstick Men works as the best example of Zimmer's enormous versatility, since this is one of those silly light efforts that supports a movie with flair and works as nice listening material. However, for some reason I can't like it like others perhaps will. Its perhaps a bit too much in the style of As Good as it Gets and I didn't really like that score enough. Its all very effective and perfect for the movie, but something about the style says that I don't find it material to listen to it once and a while, just once every year or so. Nonetheless, you have to see Zimmer's piece as a perfect fit for the movie and will make Zimmer fans think twice when they compare this with The Prince of Egypt, Drop Zone or Backdraft. Varčse's release is very generous and incorporates both songs and score in one fitting whole. I will not exaggerate in saying that I like sometimes the songs more then the score. Why, I think it has got to do with the rhythm or simply the swell of sound that for instance 'Swedish Rhapsody' carries, or the fun in 'Tijuana Taxi', or the wonderful string work in 'Charmaine', or basically the spaghetti sound in 'Lonely Bull', which mixes left of the speakers the trumpets, and right the vocals and light drums. They all fit in with the genre. Perhaps its that, Zimmer's score missing some rhythm and especially after a while, when the score starts to listen in the same speed. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of the music is beyond words. Its the light comical tune and the enormous soft flair which makes Matchstick Men work on disc, and will give the movie its breezy, comical edge and a fitting background tone all the way.

The best that are working in the score are 'I Have a Daughter?', which is more serious and in almost Danny Elfman mode, also Elfman like is the 'Pygmies!' track, at times reminding me of 'The Cookie Factory' but capturing the theme of track 3 in a playful waltz. 'Nosy Parker' has a playful waltz in where it alternates Nino Rota's theme. Zimmer used and credited Nino Rota's theme of La Dolce Vita and uses it in full effect throughout the entire score. Its especially perfect for the comical edge and light attitude it carries. Also at times, this score gets back to the more innocent tones of I'll do Anything and there it has more interesting points to say, like 'Keep the Change' with its light strings and soft mood, or 'Roy's Rules' which has so much fun in using Rota's theme in a silly kind of attitude, with whistling behind it that makes it as childish but as innocent as something heard in Radio Flyer. And besides some soft piano work we also have the one and only dreadful track namely 'Tuna Fish and Cigarettes'. Its basically techno and has wailing vocals through it, might be effective for the scene but in between the light comical tones of the entire score, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Luckily its 'The Banker's Waltz' which closes out the score, mixing classical rhythms and waltz like flavors in a most satisfying whole. Together, Matchstick Men is more about the attitude, the feel, the mood, the effectiveness and the style, because Zimmer's score is an ode to the more fruitful days of the '50 and '60. Its very effective but you have to get a knack of hearing stuff like this and I'm not totally for it. Of course, as a background score its fun entertainment and the songs between it work perfectly in giving us the diversity. Because Zimmer's score at times returns a bit too much to the same style. However, as a silly listen once and a while, with the doses of flair and innocence in it, Matchstick Men may work well as your burning desire.

Score: ***
Songs: ***

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Good Life: Bobby Darin (2.23)

2. Flim Flam (0.12)

3. Ichi-Ni-San (2.51)

4. Matchstick Men * (2.09)

5. Weird Is Good * (6.41)

6. Lonely Bull: Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass (2.14)

7. Ticks & Twitches * (2.49)

8. I Have A Daughter? (1.06)

9. Swedish Rhapsody: Mantovani & His Orchestra (2.37)

10. Keep The Change (1.23)

11. Nosy Parker * (2.44)

12. Leaning On A Lamp Post: George Formby (3.00)

13. Pool Lights (0.54)

14. Pygmies! (2.07)

15. Charmaine: Mantovani & His Orchestra (3.05)

16. Roy's Rules * (2.04)

17. Carpeteria (2.26)

18. Shame On You (2.55)

19. Tuna Fish And Cigarettes (1.55)

20. No More Pills * (4.39)

21. Tijuana Taxi: Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass (2.05)

22. The Banker's Waltz (3.05)

* Include "La Dolce Vita" from La Dolce Vita, written by Nino Rota

Total Length: 55.39

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Hans Zimmer ===