mattyd5's Full Review: Good Will Hunting by Original Soundtrack
After watching one of my favorite movies, "Good Will Hunting", I immediately wanted to collect the memorabilia that accompanied this film. Therefore, the soundtrack was something that I could buy to obtain a small piece of the movie.
The movie itself does not contain much action, suspense or romance, so do not expect any dramatic orchestral music in the soundtrack. On the other hand, it does contain an abundance of very mellow songs by Elliot Smith. Most of Smith's songs are too mellow and slow moving. It is hard to discern what he says in his pieces because it appears to me that he mumbles throughout his selections. These songs are mainly accompanied by only a guitar. Elliot Smith's style of music does not appeal to ME; however, others who enjoy mellow music (good to go to sleep to) will find it a perfect for their tastes. Though I do not particularly like his songs, I should note that Elliot's "Miss Misery" was nominated for Best Song (I'm not quite sure of the official title of the award) at the Oscars.
Smith's work comprises the majority of the soundtrack, but Irish influences can be found among the other pieces. For example, "Fisherman's Blues" by The Waterboys presents a more jovial and light deviation from the rest of the CD. With a hint of Irish instruments accompanying the lyrics, I find this specific song as a counterbalance to the "rainy day" mood Elliot's songs set.
More mainstream-sounding songs included on the CD are "Boys Better" by The Dandy Warhols, "Why Do I Lie" by Luscious Jackson, and "Somebody's Baby" by Andru Donalds. These songs may appeal to younger listeners, as it did for me. More synthesized sounds and a variety of different acoustic sounds are present.
"How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" by Al Green is perhaps the last distinct style that can be found in the GWH soundtrack. Al Green's voice resembles a 70's easy listening musical singer. The actual pieces he performs is slow-paced and maintains a flavor of maturity and experience. It also brings you back to previous decades; it does not sound like contemporary music.
What I like the most about the album is that I can fall asleep to it. The pieces without lyrics - the songs primarily composed to add to particular scenes from GWH - are a pleasure to hear simply because I am reminded of the film.
The soundtrack's mellowness is the biggest turn-off. I think that there was too much music by Elliot Smith and not enough variety. You might as well have called it another Elliot Smith album! I feel as though the compilation was too bland and did not provide sufficient musical color.
The CD jacket is just the official movie poster (orange-yellow fall-like background with Will grinning and looking sideways at Sean). Like most movie soundtracks, there are no lyrics provided within the jacket.
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