Often, a movie’s score goes unnoticed by an audience, but it can have major effects on the mood and setting of a film by subtly changing the viewers’ perception. If a score is not chosen wisely, it can hinder a film, or even clash with the fundamental themes underlying it. In order to achieve the correct mood, it has become a recent trend for Hollywood film makers to collaborate with famous musicians. For Her Director Spike Jonze worked closely with Arcade Fire and Karen O to create a sublime score that sweeps and swoons in alignment with Theodore’s (Joaquin Phoenix) emotions. As Her is released this week, FilmJuice takes a look at some at Five Of The Best recent collaborations between famous musicians and film-makers.
Blue Valentine/Grizzly Bear (2010)
Usually scores are inspired by the films they are created for, but in the case of Blue Valentine, the opposite is true. Director Derek Cianfrance worked for over seven years to perfect his Blue Valentine script, but it wasn’t until he found the band Grizzly Bear that he hit his writing stride. As he wrote, he often listened to their music, fusing their melodic rhythm into the pacing of his writing. In 2007, he reached out to the band and asked if they would score his film. They obliged, and together with Cianfrance, were able to create two separate moods—one of romanticism for flashbacks and another highlighting tension for present day scenes—that defined the pacing of the film.
The Social Network/Trent Reznor (2010)
While it’s hard to imagine The Social Network without its award winning soundtrack, Trent Reznor’s score almost didn’t happen. When David Fincher Initially offered Reznor the gig, he turned it down to take a break from music. Thankfully for the film however, Reznor changed his mind at the last minute, and joined forces with Atticus Ross to create a score that film critic Roger Ebert called an “urgent composition that drove the film’s headlong momentum.” After the credits finished, Reznor’s score kept on driving, taking the film to the academy awards where it was nominated for eight Oscars and won three including best original score.
Tron: Legacy/Daft Punk (2010)
Before winning the Grammy for best album of the Year, the French duo took on the Disney remake of Tron in 2010. Their electric-pop vibe was a natural selection for the digital world, and the soundtrack for the film was a huge success, moving all the way to No. 4 on the Billboard top 200 list.
Where The Wild Things Are/Karen O (2009)
To bring this beloved work of Maurice Sendak to life, Spike Jonze enlisted the help of Karen O, lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and at the time, his current girlfriend. She lent her voice for several songs, including the Grammy nominated song All Is Love, and helped to write the score, which was nominated for best original score at the Golden Globe awards.
There Will Be Blood/John Greenwood (2007)
For There Will Be Blood, Radiohead’s guitarist John Greenwood accented Daniel Day Lewis’ performance with orchestral sounds to give the film a sinister, unsettling tone. Although his score was ultimately snubbed by the academy awards because of its use of previously recorded material, it was nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media”.
Her is released in UK Cinemas on 14th February.