Marley & Me Soundtrack Review
Irrepressibly Cheerful and Optimistic Score from Teddy Shapiro
Mar 11, 2009 David Abraham Dueck
Theodore Shapiro is surely getting used to his apparent niche in film scoring: zany comedies. After solid, well-written scores for numerous funny projects like Blades of Glory, Tropic Thunder, Semi-Pro, Fun With Dick and Jane, and the upcoming The Year One, it is tempting to consider him pigeonholed.
However, his adeptness at scoring more serious dramatic fare has been on display in such films as The Devil Wears Prada and The Girl in the Park, and an entertaining merging of his dramatic and comedic sensibilities can be found in his lovable (though in no way innovative) score for Marley & Me.
Optimistic Atmosphere in the Marley & Me Soundtrack
The music for Marley & Me is undoubtedly standard and even predictable for the film it accompanies. Acoustic guitar and light percussion are ever-present, and light backing by piano and strings give the score a suitable sense of drama without being overbearingly sentimental or unsuitably complicated. Both the story of the film and the music accompanying it are simple and unpretentious, and Shapiro infuses his score with a winning, contemporary-flavored attitude of optimism and cheery goodwill.
This very optimism is possibly the score’s greatest asset: despite the lack of any truly memorable themes or melodic development, the score invites repeated listening because of its inherent ability to lift one’s spirits, and that inspiring cheerfulness is unbroken during the entire running time of the album. Portions of the score are indeed quieter and more reflective than others, but never is the overarching mood disrupted with downbeat angst, tension or sorrow (except possibly in the very sparse but touching “Jen Says Goodbye”).
Predictable Execution in Theodore Shapiro's Score
The score’s most obvious defect, and the one which has likely caused many to pass over the score with little more than a casual sampling, is its predictability. Truly, there is nothing outstanding or very distinctive in Marley & Me musically.
The off-kilter comedy rhythms, the zany off-the-wall chase cues, and the driving rock-based montage sequences have all been heard before. And the fact that many cues are given such revealing titles as “Snow,” “Off and Running” and “Two Year Montage” doesn’t leave much room for surprise.
Best Marley & Me Tracks
Nevertheless, the album does contain its fair share of hidden delights: the final three cues make for a genuinely moving, energizing and inspiring finale, while “Off to Ireland” features a magnificent little jig for tin whistle and violin which will not fail to make the listener grin.
“Labor Pains” is a short but lovely piece which makes good use of high-range piano and acoustic guitar, and “The Hardest Job” features rippling, heart-melting harp work. “Leg Love” features bizarrely out-of-place but enjoyable Hispanic flamenco elements.
Conclusion
Those searching for a Shapiro work of his usual faux-epic style as heard in Tropic Thunder and Blades of Glory will not find it. Those searching for an innovative, pioneering music will likewise be disappointed. But those who come to Marley & Me looking for an unassuming, lighthearted family score of endearing attitude and optimistic charm will likely be satisfied.
It’s no masterpiece, but it’s solid, lightweight, stylish and attractive music. The album from Lakeshore Records is commendably free of songs, and features Shapiro’s score exclusively.
Marley & Me Album Cover
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Theodore Shapiro, Composer
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