In the vast domain of cinema, dozens of elements converge to create an immersive experience for the viewer. A critical, yet often underestimated aspect of film is its score, the symphonic soul that breathes life into celluloid. While iconic scores like John Williams' in 'Star Wars' or Hans Zimmer’s in 'Inception' are celebrated, numerous other compositions have undeservedly faded into obscurity. This is a journey into several criminally underrated film scores that deserve a closer appreciation.
Begin our odyssey in 1982 with a visionary yet overlooked gem: Giorgio Moroder's 'Cat People'. Known primarily for his electronic stimuli that buoyed films like 'Midnight Express', Moroder crafted a haunting blend of synth-heavy motifs and traditional orchestration. The score provided the eerie mystique required by Paul Schrader’s erotic horror film, an auditory journey that lulls the listener into a languid nightmare. 'Cat People', with its hypnotic tension, mirrored the movie’s dark allure, but it unfortunately never received the acknowledgment it warranted at the time.
Fast forward to the early 90s, where we encounter 'The Last of the Mohicans' by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman. While a few might remember the famed “Promentory” track, most of the soundtrack remains largely underexplored. The collaboration resulted in a compelling tapestry of thematic grandeur and emotional resonance that perfectly captured the raw vigor of James Fenimore Cooper’s classic tale. Jones’ meticulous blend of Native American and Celtic influences lent the film an extraordinary aural depth, deserving a second listen from any discerning soundtrack enthusiast.
Dive into the dreamlike and juggernaut worlds of animation with Joe Hisaishi’s work on 'Porco Rosso' from Studio Ghibli in 1992. Hisaishi is often celebrated for his scores in movies like 'Spirited Away', but his work in 'Porco Rosso' remains inexcusably overshadowed. Hisaishi's symphonic landscapes paint an evocative growing tapestry, supporting the titular flying ace’s journey of love and redemption in the skies of post-World War I Europe. The jazzy, whimsical tones that cascade through 'Porco Rosso' deserve recognition for their delicate storytelling—a silent partner to Studio Ghibli’s visual triumphs.
The tail end of the 90s brought another contribution, Howard Shore’s 'The Fly'. It may seem paradoxical to include Shore—celebrated for his work in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy—under underrated scores. However, 'The Fly', though far less celebrated, exhibited his genius finesse in crafting psychological dimensions through orchestration. The eeriness woven through mutations of brass led an exploration of the grotesque symbiotically, forging an atmospheric tension with his musical craftsmanship that would only be echoed in later works.
Finally, in 2007, aerosiphonic innovation came from the mind of Jon Brion with 'Synecdoche, New York'. Not an obvious commercial buster, Charlie Kaufman’s film reflected his darkly quixotic premise into sound. Brion’s soundscape appeared almost as another character in Kaufman’s existential exploration of life and art—a reflective nemesis through minimalist yet profound orchestrations. This marriage of sound and narrative stood as an overlooked testament to Brion’s virtuosity.
These compositions serve as reminders of unexplored symphonic marvels that captivate and churn the viewer’s emotions. Behind every underappreciated film score lies a world of untapped wonder. It encourages not just the recognition of these composers’ labors but a renewed appreciation for the vast universe of auditory adventures waiting to be discovered outside mainstream appreciation.
As we become an audience discerning beyond the silver screen, let us raise the volume on these forgotten harmonies, inviting them into our modern consciousness.
unearthing the forgotten scores: a journey into underappreciated film music
