A Not-So-Simple Soundtrack

Image credit to Movieweb.com

Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick in a steamy, ethereal, romantic, fast-paced thriller? Who would’ve thought? The two stars join together in this fall’s next Gone Girl. Paul Feig’s film, A Simple Favor and its award-deserving soundtrack opened on September 14, and has only been stirring the music world since.

A short synopsis by yours truly, before we get into the nitty gritty of why I’m bringing it up. Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a little-too-upbeat mommy vlogger, befriends the mysterious and coy Emily (Blake Lively) at school pick up. The two become fast friends over martinis at an after-school playdate and become inseparable. Yet, all the while something seems a little, detached, about Emily. The movie turns from comedic to dark when Emily doesn’t come to pick up her son one day and is reported missing.

While fast-paced and intense, dark yet still humorous, the film is only enhanced by its dreamy Pariesien soundtrack. I believe intensely that cinematic scores can very easily make or break a movie - this does just that. On its own, the movie is stellar. Eerily filmed, much like the earlier mentioned mystery, Gone Girl. Yet, the ethereal essence of celestially sounding French jazz featuring artists such as Couer de Pirate, Zaz and Brigette Bardot lends the viewer to sit on-edge the duration of the movie.

While cinematic scores can sometimes be distracting to the plot of the film, Feig’s use of the French songs juxtaposed by the minor-key filled instrumentals only enhance the characters. They don’t just make the scene that much eerier, but it acts as an extension of what the character is doing.

The soundtrack's inclusion of emotionally charged classic French ballads and newer sultry French pop allow for the darker and looming feelings in the movie to seep through. This almost neo-noir movie utilizes this soundtrack to it's absolute extent. Grab a bottle of pinot noir and head to the cinemas because its a soundtrack for everyone.

xoxo,

s

Samantha Miller (@samantharachelmiller) is a freelance writer from Chicago. She prides herself on her occasional wit, her keen eye for design and her undying love for iced almond milk lattes.

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