Author: Eric Serra

Format: Import

PartNumber: SK66537

Release Date: 02-11-1999

Details: Amazon.ca The sixth film adaptation of the brief but eventful life of Joan of Arc, Luc Besson's The Messenger (1999) is the least spiritual of the cinematic versions. Tracing Joan's progression from military messiah to Sophoclean philosopher, The Messengeris nevertheless a highly diverting costume drama enlivened further by the director's supercharged visual style. Long-time Besson composer Eric Serra ( Leon, The Fifth Element) returns, along with his customary fusion of expansive orchestral writing, keyboards, samples, and electronic percussion. The disc begins with a warmly presented theme for winds and strings that is reworked into a pleasant end title song ("My Heart Calling"). This material is quickly dispatched and replaced with several ambient, non-orchestral mixes of keyboards and programmed sounds ("Secrets Of A Strange Wind"). Serra's overlapping layers of experimental textures are counterpointed by a solo violin courtesy of first chair Gavyn Wright, whose lyrical, mid-to-high range lines weave throughout the 27-track programme. A brassier, kinetic profile is assumed in "The Tourelles", while Serra lends his own, -esque acoustic guitar to "La Hire's Lucky Charm". Finally, there are the grandiloquent medieval incantations, impressive in scale if overly familiar in their Carl Orff-ish origins ("Armaturam Dei", "Rex Coronatur"). All in all, The Messenger reveals Serra's unique ability to break down the traditional barriers between seemingly disparate musical genres. The sound quality is spacious and dynamic, while Sony's packaging includes a still collage and photos from the original recording sessions. --Kevin Mulhall

UPC: 074646653722

EAN: 0074646653722

Model: SK66537

Languages: English

Binding: Audio CD

Item Condition: UsedVeryGood