James Spader, Marisa Tomei, and Keanu Reeves star in director Joe Charbanic's crime thriller about a detective tracking down a serial killer. Charbanic got his start directing MTV music videos and has developed a knack fo... more »r synching sounds and visions. The music, composed and conducted by Marco Beltrami (best known for The Crow: Salvation and Scream), alternates between the tension-laden pieces that accelerate with the thrill of the chase (the old-fashioned orchestra of "Grif Gets a Girl," and the near techno "Tracking a Honda") and pastoral passages ("Turtle Luv," "Face Down") that sweep with grand majesty, either hinting under the surface that all's not well in wellsville, or abruptly exploding at an unexpected moment. These are short works ("Driven," the opener, racks up 3:26 as the longest selection here) that subtly pass as creepy orchestral miniatures, where it always feels as if someone is looking over your shoulder. Not for the paranoid. --Rob O'Connor« less
James Spader, Marisa Tomei, and Keanu Reeves star in director Joe Charbanic's crime thriller about a detective tracking down a serial killer. Charbanic got his start directing MTV music videos and has developed a knack for synching sounds and visions. The music, composed and conducted by Marco Beltrami (best known for The Crow: Salvation and Scream), alternates between the tension-laden pieces that accelerate with the thrill of the chase (the old-fashioned orchestra of "Grif Gets a Girl," and the near techno "Tracking a Honda") and pastoral passages ("Turtle Luv," "Face Down") that sweep with grand majesty, either hinting under the surface that all's not well in wellsville, or abruptly exploding at an unexpected moment. These are short works ("Driven," the opener, racks up 3:26 as the longest selection here) that subtly pass as creepy orchestral miniatures, where it always feels as if someone is looking over your shoulder. Not for the paranoid. --Rob O'Connor
"The music in this movie was fantastic, so I immediately ordered the soundtrack. Imagine my disappointment to find NONE of the songs on the CD. Instead, this soundtrack is filled with the score of The Watcher. In and of itself, it's a fine compilation -- unfortunately, it just wasn't what I expected."
Not quite what i expected but good overall
AkS | 10/09/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this looking for a few songs i heard during the movie, but it's still a great score overall. PS by the way, the female singer -- whose song isn't on the soundtrack -- is PORTISHEAD, and the song is called Roads. I think it's on their "DUMMY" album..."
Haunting Music for a Haunting Movie
AkS | Chicago, IL | 09/18/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Love the soundtrack, hated the movie. If you like alternative Rock, the likes of STP and 9I9, you'd like this... Enjoy!"
Worth adding to your soundtrack collection
katya | nashua, nh | 01/18/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When I first saw this film the opening score caught my interest immediately. Throughout the film the fast paced tracks interspersed with haunting melodies provide an interesting atmosphere to immerse yourself in. If you enjoyed scores from films like Dark City or Scream you'll likely enjoy this as well.
On a side note, there are a lot of great contemporary tracks in the film including both well known and newcomer artists. Someone inquired about the song played on the homeless girl's stereo--it's called "you can't say" and it's by holly light. If anyone knows the name of the song that plays as the police are visiting the homeless girl's mother(lyrics include "now it's over like it never was before") I would be very grateful!"
The best music I have heard since Dances with Wolves
katya | 09/16/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Except for one song not being on the soundtrack, the soundtrack is like a character on its own which can tell the story to you again and again as you listen. I enjoyed the movie because of this soundtrack. If you enjoy using your imagination and feeling for the characters, this soundtrack will do that."