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Conducted by:
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David Snell
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Label:
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Big Screen Records
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Release Date:
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December 8th, 1992
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Availability:
Regular U.S. release, but completely out of print.
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Filmtracks Editorial Review:
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Used People: (Rachel Portman) Before bursting into
mainstream American attention with The Joy Luck Club in 1993, Rachel
Portman had already established herself as rising star in the composing
industry. By the time she continued her collaboration with director Beeban
Kidron for a third time with Used People, Portman had already
received numerous award nominations and wins in Europe, including an
encouraging award out of the U.K. announcing her as the best new composer of
the 1980's. Portman's partnership with Kidron would continue after Used
People, but this 1992 score marked one of Portman's first large-scale
projects for which recognition would be established in America. Critics of
Portman's consistent style state that the composer is simply a
one-dimensional artist, capable of only producing one style of sound. If
that's true --and you'd have quite a few angry Portman fans debating that
point-- then Used People is a refreshing glimpse of Portman's work
premiering its new styles before it was well known. The film is tear-jerking
drama set in the late 1960's, with a widow being romanced by a man who would
have been her suitor earlier in life if not for ethnic differences. The
lovable, sensible tale featured a star-studded cast (with four Academy
Award-winning actresses) and placed them in the elegant lights of New York
City. This setting offered the opportunity for the score to reflect both the
jazzy ambience of the big city in a more innocent time, as well as the
romantic instrumentation associated with any film of the genre. The ethnic
differences would also require a touch of flair in the music, being, after
all, that Italians in New York are often loud and outrageous to begin with.
A certain amount of youthful, vigorous energy also inhabits the film and
score, extending the idea that people are never to old to woo one another
and have a good time.
The styles put on display by Portman for Used People
are very much a preview of where she would be headed in future years. The
title theme does not have the same deep swell that many of her fans would
become accustomed to, but her harmonic, richly simplistic base is intact.
There is more of a mournful attitude to Used People, because the film
deals with serious issues of mortality as well, so Portman never unleashes
her typically unrestricted, positive attitude in this work. The score opens
with an elegant, but melancholy horn solo above her usual, easy chord
progressions, representing the big city and the sadness and loneliness it
often possesses. Other sections explode with Portman's comedy rhythms, with
tumbling horns performing rhythms of a pleasant, though silly nature.
Portman's ability to make fast, orchestral ruckus is put to work here, and
this comedy writing is very similar to what Portman fans would hear from the
composer later on, making it the most expendable on this particular album.
The essence of the old time jazz beat, while trying to poke its head out and
assert itself at several points, adds only a little flavor to the score,
though. A few delightful, lyrical passages appear hidden throughout the
score, such as in the twelfth cue, and these woodwind driven sections offer
the bulk of the listenability of Used People. The score's emotional
heart is centered on one spectacularly differing cue; the thirteenth track,
"The Grave" briefly drops the upbeat piano meanderings and lays on a heavy
dose of string dramatics. With this dark cue offering the only powerful,
gripping music in the score, Used People is much more of a
featherweight in its sensibilities. The score wraps itself up nicely with
Portman's typical, slow tempo finale and provides 40 minutes very
accessible, dramatic romance music. The Sinatra song in the middle of the
album, while a logical choice, breaks up the flow of the score. The album is
now out of print, but can be found for decent prices in online auctions.
Portman fans should consider Used People a safe, though unspectacular
purchase. ***
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Viewer Ratings and Comments:
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• 1. Main Title (2:37)
• 2. Walk and Talk (First Kiss) (4:03)
• 3. The Third Rail (1:52)
• 4. Man on the Moon (1:31)
• 5. The Dinner (1:58)
• 6. Lucky Horseshoe (Pearl Says Yes) (5:43)
• 7. Bibby Leaves (1:28)
• 8. Out and About (1:28)
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• 9. The Sky Fell Down -song (3:11)
• 10. Three on a Bench (Swee' Pea on the Roof) (4:50)
• 11. The Shiva (1:57)
• 12. Let me Cook You Dinner (Deepdale) (3:39)
• 13. The Grave (2:51)
• 14. It Happened to Me Too (1:51)
• 15. Kiss the Bride (1:23)
• 16. End Titles (2:34)
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Insert contains information about Portman and the director of the film.
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