When looking at a score like "The Painted Veil," it's easy to see why it would be such a prized choice for voters of the Golden Globe. It's an elaborate, classical score that enriches the film with its beautiful arrangements and gentle touch. Ironically, it's not the only score from 2006 that Alexandre Desplat is receiving recognition for,"The Queen" being the other (which received attention by the Academy Awards). Talk about a banner year!
"The Painted Veil" is first and foremost a dramatic score that benefits greatly by the piano work of Lang Lang. It's the piano that offers the foundation of the score and is used consistently throughout the soundtrack to offer a blend of music that is soothing as it is elegant. Indeed, a score like this could easily be listed in the modern classical works at your local music shop.
Desplat creates a non-intrusive main theme that is deceivingly versatile. It's interesting to hear how its used as he has full command over it. One moment the theme can be implemented to offer something light and touching while the next it can be quite sour. Needless to say, such flexibility is a useful tool to have in your arsenal when you're making a film! Also, it's nice to see such creative writing by using one theme that is varied enough to be so flexible. It's a type of consistency I quite appreciate in listening to a film score.
As far as the general outline of the movie goes, it's a story that deals with a couple's rediscovery of themselves as they travel to China in the 1920s. For the most part, its easy to envision such a journey with music such as this providing accompaniment. However, when looking at the places in which this saga takes place, there should have been a bit more ethnic flavor added to the music to depict the settings. Such a void lends itself to detachment. In the end, you'll have to balance the quality versus placement when it comes to this score since in the end, it really is exceptionally written music.
In recommending this soundtrack, I do so if you are the type of listener who enjoys a mature taste in film score. This certainly does not encompass the modern sound that has so littered the cinemas in recent years, and instead, takes a step back and lets you breathe in classically rich melodies. If this suits your fancy, then by all means give this one a listen. If you do, you'll see why the Golden Globes reached out to this one as the winner of best score, 2006. Desplat himself is a composer that is gaining more and more attention in the past couple of years. As evidence by his stellar 2006 campaign, this could very well be just the beginning of a great run in the Hollywood industry.
Final Score: A refreshing blend of music makes "The Painted Veil" a score that is pleasing to listen to. It offers music fans a chance to recollect themselves and catch their breath with music that is classically enriched and elegantly delivered.
