Hemingway & Gellhorn

This TV Movie has received some rather cutting and unkind reviews which have mainly been aimed at the performances of both Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen, Owen for me is not one of the finest actors on this earth and most of his performances are rather wooden and unanimated. But I am surprised at Kidman coming in for criticism as I thought of late she had matured and grown as an actress. But it is not the credentials of these actors or the quality of the movie I am here to discuss, but the musical score that has been composed by Spanish Maestro Javier Navarrette. Like many other collectors I first encountered Navarette via his haunting score for THE DEVILS BACKBONE in 2001 and then again his equally memorable music for PANS LABYRINTH, in fact since the release of these movies I have always gone out of my way to find and listen to the composers soundtracks. Recently this Spanish composer has been engaged on Hollywood and UK projects such as WRATH OF THE TITANS, INKHEART,CRACKS and WARRIORS WAY and has for want of a better word been thrown into the gaze of film music collectors worldwide. I personally am not sure if this is always a good thing,(working in Hollywood ,that is ) but at least we get to hear more of this composers eloquent and powerful music. The score for HEMINGWAY AND GELLHORN is an adventurous and full blooded one, it contains so much drama and passion but is at the same time emotive and enticingly beautiful. There are also a number of vocals featured throughout the score, the most prominent being AY CARMELA which is performed by both Antoine Closi and Rolando Alarcon, the melody from this particular song is also utilized within the score and rises up in various places in varying arrangements. The songs that are included are also very listenable and combined with the orchestral score go to make up a rewarding listening experience. Navarrette,s powerful score has a commanding presence to it and it is hard to listen to it without being stirred within, his proud and noble themes conveying an atmosphere that is filled with fervour and patriotism. One of my favourite cues is track number 6, THE JOY OF IRRIGATION, this is an almost martial sounding piece or at least this is the way it begins, in fact it did remind me somewhat of Maurice Jarre,s quirky but poignant march from RYANS DAUGHTER, it has that kind of aura to it, but with a Spanish flavour interwoven into the body of the piece. Trumpet and strings lead with timpani supporting and woodwind being added and punctuating, it is a rousing and entertaining cue. This is for me one of the best scores so far this year, it is packed with rich thematic material and exudes zeal and splendour, Highly recommended.