"Flags of Our Fathers" is the latest in a line of Clint Eastwood films that leave you with you with a sour taste in your mouth.  Eastwood seems to have made a conscious decision to explore the realism of life in his recent movies, often opening up that darker aspects of life in his storytelling.  That said, he's done so an artistic way, as each of his last 3 features (counting 'Flags') have been very well made, touching and poignant.  An interesting point is that Eastwood's artistry doesn't end with the directing chores; he's also taken on the scoring duties for these movies.

 

The framework of Eastwood's music is very basic, offering simple tones that provide an emotional underscore to the respective story arc.  In 'Flags,' he's followed this pattern to an even greater extent.  The use of score within the picture is totally supplementary and quietly stated.  It's as if the visual developments are so dramatic that any type of music that is brought to the forefront would take away from that.

 

The manner in which the music works best is when the notes are heard from the piano.  The orchestral elements are vanilla and without gloss, simply content to hide in the background.  The main theme, as it were, plays out like an introduction to a solemn rendition of 'The Star Spangled Banner.'  I could perceive this being written during the 40s given the retro tonality of it. 

 

Given that this is a war movie in many respects, one would think that there would be some action music indicative of this.  There isn't, however, and the only time there is any type of militaristic representation is when the U.S. armada arrived on the shores.  It's not a bad track, but it is not extended into any other avenues.  The sequence depicting the flag raising is also represented on the disc, but like in the movie, is anticlimactic (intentionally so).

 

Also on the soundtrack, there are recreations of the music from the era as well as some classical numbers.  Ironically, these inclusions add a bit more personality to the release. 

 

In the end, "Flags of Our Fathers" is not about the listening experience and is more about the drama depicted in the story.  The movie lifts the veil and exposes the grim realities that the 'heroes' had to face and the music is dressed up (or down) accordingly.  While the film itself is memorable, the music from it does not lend itself to be heard apart from it.

 

Final Score: Eastwood's low-key, somber effort pays off only during the viewing of the film and not the listening experience.  Not a top recommendation.