I first discovered my love of film music when I realized the movies I loved all had interesting music. I enjoy a good story for escape as much as anyone. But when it’s accompanied by music the experience becomes more alive. So before I add posts about the analytical and technical aspects of film music, I want to share my top ten reasons for loving film music. 10. Shameless emotional connection. Music easily moves its listeners emotionally. But when music connects to powerful imagery and stories its impact is sweeping. The movie Platoon (1986), directed by Oliver Stone, illustrates the violence and cruelty of the Vietnam War. I openly wept in the theater, as did many others, when Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings underscores the battle scene for Sgt. Elias’s death. (In the linked clip the music starts at 1:30.) The slow tempo and minor key of the music are conventionally connected to emotions of sadness. But violent scenes paired with lush string music is startling and feels emotionally overwhelming. Other films use Barber’s work, too. Prior to Platoon, David Lynch also chose to use Adagio for Strings in the last scene of The Elephant Man. In great contrast to the above examples, the …
