Think about the last time you were at the movies and your heart truly fluttered, sank, or just ached. The best movies evoke intense emotions in viewers through stunning visuals, great acting performances, and meaningful scripts. However, movies are just as much about listening as they are about watching, and the perfect score or soundtrack choice can influence moviegoers’ emotions just as easily. The past two years in film have not only been enjoyable for those who go to the movies to see their favorite actors or franchises; it has also been remarkable for music enthusiasts. Past standout musical moments in film include my favorite film, Once, from 2006, and, of course, 2016’s La La Land. Both films use music to tell the story of a relationship, taking viewers through playful first meetings, the best moments of each relationship, and eventually (spoilers), the longing for something that could not be. In 2017, directors showed expertise in holding the hearts of the viewers in their hands using music.
Both Once and La La Land were quite explicit about their usage of music in each story’s structure, as they were both outright musicals. Conversely, musical magic can be brought to a film just as effectively through a great score; this was seen throughout 2017’s best films. My favorite scores were in Phantom Thread and Dunkirk. Each film blew me away with the way music worked for each film, and I am so happy to have had the chance to see each of these films in theaters.
Dunkirk, which won Oscars for both sound editing and sound mixing, was faced with the challenge of incorporating music into an at times loud and action-packed war story. It excelled at using music to add to the suspense and devastation of the film, and the score never feels like it is competing with the war-sound elements. One technique used by Hans Zimmer, the composer of Dunkirk, to build the suspense that is so key to Dunkirk’s story is the use of the Shepard Tones, which is a cycle of three parallel ascending tones that seem to be rising endlessly, constantly building up the tension. It may be hard to realize the cycle of lower notes fading in and highest notes fading out, giving the feeling of endless ascension without an actual rise in pitch over time. Basically, Shepard Tones are an audio illusion that have appeared famously in everything from The Dark Knight to Super Mario 64. They are just a tiny reason why the Dunkirk score is so successful.
Phantom Thread blew me away with the score’s elegance, instrumentation, and the ease with which it was intertwined with the plot. Scored by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, original music played from nearly the first second of Phantom Thread through to the end with hardly a break in between. Several scenes were tied together by one song and a sparse narration by Alma, one of the film’s central characters. The score is at times lush and full, showing the hopes and passions of the characters, while at times of uneasiness and argument, the music can sometimes feel like it is spinning out of control. The use of music in this film was simply masterful and chill-inducing; it feels like Greenwood considered every note and instrumentation, resulting in an immersive experience.
Another film that featured music to enhance its emotional impact was Call Me by Your Name. I can’t rave enough about this film, but that’s beside the point. Set in early 1980s northern Italy and about the first love of 17-year-old Elio, who spends his summer reading and transposing music, this movie has a score that is a creative mix of 1980s European hits and classical piano music played by Elio throughout the movie. While the 1980s songs set the scene and add spontaneity, the classical music brings unparalleled beauty to the film, especially during key moments. In one scene where Elio is telling his love interest about his feelings, the piano becomes prominent and literally sounds like the butterflies in his stomach. In addition, original songs by Sufjan Stevens add poignancy and emotion to the film, as the lyrics of each song address Elio’s positive and negative viewpoints on his summer romance as he looks back after the summer has ended.
The year 2017 was the first time I began to grow my interest in film, and, as someone who loves music, I was not disappointed by the diversity of music I heard in the year’s best films.
Be First to Comment