BFI | Sight & Sound | The Best Music in Film

The Best Music in Film

(Composed the music for The Hitcher, Point Break, Short Cuts and Quiz Show)

S&S: What is your favourite film soundtrack music and why do you like it so much?: "Whenever I am asked this, the first thing that pops into my mind is Nino Rota and his themes for Fellini's movies. In trying to figure out why, after all these years, his music still seems to answer your question, I can only come up with the fact that rarely does a filmmaker create such a unique emotional environment and rarely does a composer match it so exactly. And at the same time, supply themes that are truly memorable, that one cannot help but hum as one leaves the theatre or drives in one's car, 30 years later!"
S&S: In what ways does music best enhance a film?: "For me, music best enhances a film when it doesn't draw attention to itself as “music” but adds a depth of emotion that reaches an audience at a completely subjective level. As a subjective language, music consults the listeners own ideas and emotions and so can make the film experience a much more personal one for the audience."
S&S: Which film either has music that you wished you'd written or is one you would like to rescore and why?: "Right now I'm the most proud of my score to Miracle (2004). The last 10 minutes I think are very effective. But I feel the transition the score makes through the film is worth noting. I feel I really found the subtle change of emotion required to bring the film to its climax."