Thursday Token Themes

Welcome a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. I’m a hugely enthusiastic fan of film scores, and music is far too often an element of cinema that goes unrecognized. Therefore I present a platform for a look – or rather, a listen – to some fantastic film scores. I’ll be selecting a composer and one or more of their film scores for your listening pleasure, embedded from YouTube.

This week’s featured composer is Alexandre Desplat. The Paris native is a four-time Oscar nominee and has been scoring many notable American films for the past decade. Most recently, he wrote the rather epic music for Terrence Malick’s majestic “The Tree of Life.” His regal themes have been particularly memorable, for 2010’s “The King’s Speech” and 2006’s “The Queen.” His music for “The Ghost Writer” was rather distinctive and energetic, as were his anthems for French film “A Prophet” and animated feature “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” He wrote sweet melodies for lifespan pictures “Coco Before Chanel” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” and a magical tune for “The Golden Compass.” He also specializes in melancholy music for movies about doomed lovers like “Lust, Caution,” “The Painted Veil,” and “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” He’s competent in thriller scores as well, as evidenced by 2005’s “Syriana.”

The Tree of Life (2011)



The King’s Speech (2010)



The Ghost Writer (2010)



A Prophet (2010)



Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)



Coco Before Chanel (2009)



The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)



The Golden Compass (2007)



Lust, Caution (2007)



The Painted Veil (2006)



The Queen (2006)



Syriana (2005)



Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)