The soundtrack to a film when done beautifully can lift a film and subconciously resonate. Many directors make the mistake of bombarding a film with hit songs without taking in consideration the emotion playing out on screen – often it can just be a jarring and distracting experience. There are three film directors who’s use of vintage tracks are flawless; Martin Scorcese, Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson.
Anderson is a divisive film-maker but I adore him and my favourite film of his has to be the glorious ‘Rushmore.’ The film follows Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzmann), a driven but poor academic schoolboy who forms a close bond with Bill Murray’s industrialist Hermann Bume. However their friendship is challenged when they both fall in love with elementary school teacher Rosemary Cross (played luminously by Olivia Williams). Anderson had been listening to a lot of British Invasion music from the ’60′s and had originally considered using The Kink’s music for the whole of the film’s soundtrack. However when consulting with the film’s music supervisor Mark Mothersbaugh they agreed that only one of the Kink’s tracks would remain. Historically the British Invasion songs coincided in England with the emergence of ‘The Angry Young Man’ character that was appearing in kitchen sink dramas such as John Osborne’s ‘Look Back in Anger’ personified by the two Richards (Burton and Harris). Therefore these British Invasion songs embody Max’s character perfectly – the adolescent schoolboy who presents himself as sophisticated and respectable but inside bubbling is an angry guy in meltdown mode.
Below are two short clips from Rushmore illustrating the brilliance of the soundtrack. There are so many clips to choose from but these two rock for many different reasons. And if you like what you see share the love and get a copy of Rushmore.
This is the best character montage ever!
Track listing: Making Time – The Creation
Wes Andersons is always minimalistic in his direction – how to show the disintergration of a marriage in under 2 minutes
Track listing: Nothing In This World Can Stop me Worrin’ Bout That Girl -The Kinks
This trailer does not do this film justice. 'Animal Kingdom' is the best gangster film I've seen in years - it follows a Melbourne based criminal family, as the police forces begin to close in on them and the dynamics between the brothers begins to change in unexpected ways. A claustrophobic and shocking film with superb performances.
I decided to watch this today because – I had the compulsion to watch it. When the compulsion comes it cannot be denied. And don’t try to deny it. Then it pops up here? Coincidence? I think so. Regardless, on the heels of several conversations about music of late, it was a good film to notice the precision and varied assemblage of the soundtrack. Music at times, others without, but always coloring the tone and progression in an interesting way. I was also noticing the numerous references to Cousteau which I previously didn’t even pick up on. I think forever more I will treat Rushmore and The Life Aquatic as two parts of one film. It’ll help me sleep at night.
Great the post – love Anderson and music in film. Only issue, Mark Mothersbaugh is the composer of the original tracks in the film, Randall Poster is the Music Supervisor for this film and all of Wes Anderson’s films. Poster has also been the Music Supervisor for a few of Scorsese’s films and several of Todd Haynes films.