Some heavy weights on the casting line up of "The Shipping News"...leading the pack is Kevin Spacey(Quoyle), Judi Dench(Agnis Hamm), Cate Blanchett(Petal Bear), Julianne Moore(Wavey), Pete Postlethwaite(Tert Card) and Scott Glenn(Jack Buggit), who happens to be one of my favorite actors from "Backdraft", "Silverado" and "The Right Stuff"...filmed in
Newfoundland and based on the E. Annie Proulx novel(Pulitzer Prize winner) and the gifted director Lasse Hallstrom("The Cider House" and "Chocolat"), both wonderful films...even with this cast and director, the film falls short of what we've come to expect from all concerned in the past.
However, the music is first class...as Christopher Young captures the landscape and the lives of the people on the island...each cue sets the tone and mood for every scene...Young has come of age, belongs to one of Hollywood's busiest composers.
A few stand outs come to mind ~ "ALWYN SPIRES", almost a lullaby with solo guitar and counterpoints from the string section..."SAIL ON", lonely guitar strings open with Celtic
sounding flutes answering the string sections, beautiful colors of each theme transpire blending percussion creeps into the melodic symphony, giving you the satisfaction of life starting over.
Much credit to Milan Entertainment, The Philharmonia Orchestra, Allan Wilson(conductor) and our composer Christopher Young...the opening track "SHIPPING NEWS", sets the stage for a compelling drama and the score adds another character to the cast of
players...once again brilliant arrangements, orchestration and performance from this haunting cue...stays with you for days, gotta love it!
Total Time: 46:12 on 16 Tracks ~ Milan 35983 ~ (2002)