Charlotte Gray: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
From AwardAnnals
| Album: | Charlotte Gray: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack |
|---|---|
| Artist: | Stephen Warbeck |
| Genres: | |
| Label: | Sony |
| Find it: |
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Reviews
Amazon.com
What would inspire a young Scottish woman to parachute into Europe and join the underground French Resistance during World War II’s darkest hours? If we’re to believe this tale, ‘twas simply love for her captured boyfriend. While it boasts another stellar turn by star Cate Blanchett and the promising involvement of Oscar®-winning Shakespeare in Love composer Stephen Warbeck, the latter’s orchestral score ultimately points up a sometimes troubling aspect of film projects: the brooding, subtly dramatic cues that work so well in a film can be a mighty dry 50-minute listen divorced from their imagery. The coloration of Warbeck’s writing here is superb; it evokes period, place, and dangerous circumstance with a quiet grace. But the lack of strong melodic themes and, especially, a greater dynamic range hamper the soundtrack album’s appeal. While some may find its quiet, autumnal tone a distinctly subdued mood setter, others may find its sharp contrast with Shakepeare’s vigor a bit ponderous. —Jerry McCulley
Related works
Charlotte Gray: A Novel
In blacked-out, wartime London, Charlotte Gray develops a dangerous passion for a battle-weary RAF pilot, and when he fails to return from a daring flight into France she is determined to find him. In the service of the Resistance, she travels to the village of Lavaurette, dyeing her hair and changing her name to conceal her identity. Here she will come face-to-face with the harrowing truth of what took place during Europe’s darkest years, and will confront a terrifying secret that threatens to cast its shadow over the remainder of her days.
Vividly rendered, tremendously moving, and with a narrative sweep and power reminiscent of his novel Birdsong, Charlotte Gray confirms Sebastian Faulks as one of the finest novelists working today.
