The music makes the movie

Original URL: http://english.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20060417/101116.shtml

Source: CCTV.com
04-17-2006 11:44

When it comes to musicals, it's the music we remember the most. With this year's biggest winner at the Hong Kong Film Awards, the movie musical,"Perhaps Love" could be the start of a new trend for films in China. In today's "Spotlight", we review film as well other musical blockbusters and the scores that made them famous.

Anyone who saw "Perhaps Love" was enchanted by the eye-catching intro. South Korean actor Ji Jin-Hee's debut song and dance aroused passion and imagination. It's a pity that the handsome Korean doesn't understand the Chinese lyrics that he sings. Oh well... he can read the translation.

Mainland actress Zhou Xun was perfectly comfortable in her role. She was a pub singer before becoming an actress. And her early career is mirrored somewhat by the film. A near flawless job won Zhou "Best Actress" at the HK Film Awards. Pop music giant Jacky Cheung must feel confident after the success of "Perhaps Love". His performance earned the film "Best Original Song" honors in Hong Kong.

Believe it or not, insects can do musicals too! "Joe's Apartment" stars 40 thousand cockroaches. They think, talk, sing and dance. So don't look down on your many-legged friends! Effects house "Blue Sky Studios" created the bugs for MTV's first feature production. Dances between roaches and real people highlight the film. Haven't seen it yet? Hurry up to the cinema, but leave your pesticide at home.

"That Thing You Do" is written and directed by Hollywood veteran Tom Hanks. Set to a 1960s' score, the film is a sunny look at a one-hit wonder pop band. The movie shows money and drugs to be alluring, but not compared to pretty girls. It borrows from The Beatles story. Hanks had 9 songs recorded for the film. And the music is the strength of the production. "That Thing You Do" is a delight to the ears.

The 1996 Woody Allen flick "Everyone Says I Love You" has a star-studded cast. And they all had to sing! Edward Norton showed pop star potential, but Julia Roberts couldn't quite pull a tone of that wide mouth. Woody Allen said, "It's not the voice itself that moves you, it's the singer's emotion behind that voice."

Biopic "Farinelli" follows the life of a famous castrato in the 18th century. Of course there were no true castratos available for the role. So a synthesis of soprano and tenor voices was used. The story tells of a singing prodigy infatuated with his own androgynous beauty. But the sacrifice of masculinity leads to anguish and regret. Each lovely aria leaves behind a deep, deformed sorrow.

"Evita' chronicles Eva Peron's incredible path from farm girl to Argentine hero. The lavish musical is based on the Andrew Lloyd Webber play. Madonna changed outfits eighty five times for her role as Peron. She and her co-stars sing from start to finish. The acting may be average, but magnificent musical arrangements make this a movie worth going to.

Musicals are an effort to drag the operatic stage onto a screen. And they've been more than successful. Motion picture technology combined with great songs makes for some unbelievable films.

Editor:Chen