What You Need to Know: I must say, it's so refreshing to hear James Newton Howard take on a project that isn't as grave or ominous as some of his recent, more serious films. With the music of
Duplicity, I almost get the sense that James had refreshed himself while writing the music for this gem, and while as a listener, I received it as a tonic! This score came along at just the right moment in time.
Simply put, Duplicity is a score that translates to a fun time. One can't resist the hip, easy motifs that this soundtrack has to offer. Think about the scores from the "Ocean's 11" movies but only with a JNH twist, and in a nutshell, you'll have a sense of what Duplicity is all about. From the very first track on, the listener is introduced to the playful tone of the score and it remains constant throughout. When the quirky notes dim a bit, there is a nicely constructed underscore that keeps things moving ahead. You see, no matter how silly or fun this soundtrack is, there is also an element of professionalism behind it that makes it a genuine and relevant film score.
As this effort relates to the composer, it has indeed been a while since James has offered a score that isn't bound by dark, dramatic undercurrents (e.g. Dark Knight, The Happening, Defiance). With Duplicity, and recently "Confessions of a Shopaholic," the lighter side of the composer has once again re-emerged.
I would say this is his best effort since "The Lady in the Water" and one that, I think, will invigorate the composer as he approaches the rest of 2009.
