Customer Reviews

21 Grams

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the best soundtracks I have ever come across. I totally recommend it, it's deep, moving, and powerful.

Gustavo Santaolalla is a genius. Admittedly, few have truly heard of him outside of his scores for the likes of "Amos Perros" and "21 Grams", but, as the liner notes say, the man can do so much with so very little.

For those who saw the film (a personal pick for best film of 2003), one knows its gritty and highly emotive nature - powerhouse performances and sublime editing all add up to a gut-wrenching masterpiece of modern drama. Yet, unlike most films where the score simply stands idly by giving way to the scene, this is one of those rare scores where the score truly ENCHANCES the scenes, as well as makes a great standalone work. This is best exemplified by "Do We Lose 21 Grams?", the disc's opening number, and a gorgeous work. It's a simply guitar line that evokes so much with so little. Santaolalla goes on to dive into trip-hop "Can We Mix the Unmixable? (Remix)", solemn contemplation music ("Did This Really Happen?"), dark acoustics ("Should I Let Her Know?"), and even brings in the Kronos Quartet (though they are sadly underused) for the closing work "When Our Wings Are Cut, Can We Still Fly?".

Of course, of great note is also the inclusion of other songs, this time going out to the party hip-hop of Ozomatli's "Cut Chemist Suite", the classic "Low Rider" by War, Ann Sexton's nostalgic "You're Losing Me", and then what may be the highlight of the soundtrack - Benicio Del Toro's cover of the Elvis classic "Shake, Rattle & Roll". This isn't a conventional cover by any means - it's a six-minute epic of dark, brooding, atmosphere as Toro gives a dark monologue of the song's verses in what may be one of the creepiest covers you have ever heard (right next to The Dismemberment Plan's cover of Jennifer Paige's "Crush").

While the Dave Matthews song that rolls during the credits is not included, this album remains a classic example of how atmosphere is used to evoke powerful moods. Though dark, this is one of the most consistant soundtracks for any film of 2003, and Santaolalla's best work yet.

This is a beautiful, emotional score that fits perfectly with a beautiful and emotional film.

Gustavo Santaolalla composed a terrific score that is deep and moving that brings A LOT of emotion to the film.

This sountrack is wonderful, the music composed by Gustavo Santaolalla transmits the deepest emotions to you.
This soundtrack is like the film, terrific and deep!