December 14, 2007

Listening to Film

By THOMAS DOHERTY

If the first rule of film criticism is to watch the movie, the second is to listen to it. Prick up your ears to the aural atmospherics and sonic undertones laid down on the soundtrack — dialogue, background noise, and the most bewitching element in the mix, music. Whether belted out in song, swelling in the background, or lilting just below consciousness, music on screen moves in mysterious ways: setting a mood, conjuring an atmosphere, awakening a memory, lulling, sweetening,

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Already have an account? Log In Now.