Earring Reviews & More

Reviews

It would seem that soundtracks are a good source of a new type of classical music. If you like hauntingly beautiful short pieces you will find some really memorable little tracks on this CD. Some of them will become a part of you, and this one will stand up to repeated listens. Alezandre Desplat was reaching the heighth of his creative powers on this one.

This is truly a beautiful soundtrack. Like the film, it is probably not very well known by many people, but a gem nonetheless. It has several themes that are played with variation throughout the soundtrack. Overall, the sound is very consistent; delicate strings and piano, slightly melancholy and mysterious at times. It is a little repetitive, but you won't care because the melodies are so exquisitely crafted. This is the kind of cd that you can just sit and listen to and let your mind wander, or read to and not have to worry about one track being calm and quiet and the next being loud and blaring. For such a short movie, you have a good amount of playing time to feast your ears on.

I love this soundtrack! It stands alone as beautiful, haunting, alluring, and innocent--just as Griet herself was in the film. Desplat perfectly captured the spirit of the story, enhanced and deepened a plot that was less than stellar. Scarlett Johanssen's acting is superb, as well as Essie Davis and Colin Firth. The story, though, was a bit tired--pretty housemaid/jealous wife/do-nothing husband. Its portrayal of Vermeer and his wife was a disservice to the real people, even though it is a fictionalized account. The two best tracks on this album are 'Griet's Theme' and 'Colours in the Clouds'. While I'm not keen on seeing the film again, this soundtrack is a treasure. It's a real work of art, second only to Vermeer's work.

a fine film of one man's fantasy of a vermeer painting. Strictly fiction based on an actual work of art. I enjoyed the film, though not a great film. Vermeer's character remined basically unchanged or developed during the film. Still a worthwhile fine movie. Remember, it is all fiction, except for the lovely work which thankfully is real. Who knows? She was lovely.

Earlier this winter I saw "Girl With a Pearl Earring" in the movie theater. I loved the concept of taking a famous painting and turning it into a fictional story like author Tracy Chevalier did with Johanne's painting of a girl with a pearl earring. The film was a stunning piece of work. Colin Firth as Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as Griet put in excellent performances as did the supporting cast. What really made the film for me was the haunting film score. The music really shaped the mood of the film. I finally found a copy of the soundtrack for "Girl With a Pearl Earring" today. I knew right away that I had to buy it. Listening to the music sent chills down my spine. Alexandre Desplat did an amazing job as composure as well as conductor for the film score. It brought back images of the film. I agree with the other reviewer, Alexandre's film score should have received an Oscar nod. It is truly one of the best film scores I have ever heard in my 30 years of life (well, almost 30 years in a few months). The music isn't bombastic and loud like a lot of film scores tends to be. It is very subtle and breathtaking to this music lover's ears. Anyone who has seen and loved the movie, get this soundtrack. It is a nice reminder of one of the best art house films ever made.

Reviews

It would seem that soundtracks are a good source of a new type of classical music. If you like hauntingly beautiful short pieces you will find some really memorable little tracks on this CD. Some of them will become a part of you, and this one will stand up to repeated listens. Alezandre Desplat was reaching the heighth of his creative powers on this one.

This is truly a beautiful soundtrack. Like the film, it is probably not very well known by many people, but a gem nonetheless. It has several themes that are played with variation throughout the soundtrack. Overall, the sound is very consistent; delicate strings and piano, slightly melancholy and mysterious at times. It is a little repetitive, but you won't care because the melodies are so exquisitely crafted. This is the kind of cd that you can just sit and listen to and let your mind wander, or read to and not have to worry about one track being calm and quiet and the next being loud and blaring. For such a short movie, you have a good amount of playing time to feast your ears on.

I love this soundtrack! It stands alone as beautiful, haunting, alluring, and innocent--just as Griet herself was in the film. Desplat perfectly captured the spirit of the story, enhanced and deepened a plot that was less than stellar. Scarlett Johanssen's acting is superb, as well as Essie Davis and Colin Firth. The story, though, was a bit tired--pretty housemaid/jealous wife/do-nothing husband. Its portrayal of Vermeer and his wife was a disservice to the real people, even though it is a fictionalized account. The two best tracks on this album are 'Griet's Theme' and 'Colours in the Clouds'. While I'm not keen on seeing the film again, this soundtrack is a treasure. It's a real work of art, second only to Vermeer's work.

a fine film of one man's fantasy of a vermeer painting. Strictly fiction based on an actual work of art. I enjoyed the film, though not a great film. Vermeer's character remined basically unchanged or developed during the film. Still a worthwhile fine movie. Remember, it is all fiction, except for the lovely work which thankfully is real. Who knows? She was lovely.

Earlier this winter I saw "Girl With a Pearl Earring" in the movie theater. I loved the concept of taking a famous painting and turning it into a fictional story like author Tracy Chevalier did with Johanne's painting of a girl with a pearl earring. The film was a stunning piece of work. Colin Firth as Vermeer and Scarlett Johansson as Griet put in excellent performances as did the supporting cast. What really made the film for me was the haunting film score. The music really shaped the mood of the film. I finally found a copy of the soundtrack for "Girl With a Pearl Earring" today. I knew right away that I had to buy it. Listening to the music sent chills down my spine. Alexandre Desplat did an amazing job as composure as well as conductor for the film score. It brought back images of the film. I agree with the other reviewer, Alexandre's film score should have received an Oscar nod. It is truly one of the best film scores I have ever heard in my 30 years of life (well, almost 30 years in a few months). The music isn't bombastic and loud like a lot of film scores tends to be. It is very subtle and breathtaking to this music lover's ears. Anyone who has seen and loved the movie, get this soundtrack. It is a nice reminder of one of the best art house films ever made.

Reviews

The serious soundtrack collector should be aware that of all the Silva Screen compilations - this box more than others deviates greatly from the orginal soundtrack recordings. In particular - Midnight Cowboy - becomes a layered jazz montage of the main theme.

Great CDs, but every single part of the box was damaged. I emailed the seller and they did not even reply.

THE INCREDIBLE FILM MUSIC BOX is the best overall film score compilation package I have heard so far. All tracks are performed with genuine dynamic emotion by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, and are true to the original movie arrangements. There are a couple of tracks that miss the mark, probably due to copyright issues, but overall a very good, authentic representation of an excellent collection of memorable film scores. The only way to beat this one is to literally own the same collection with the original recordings on it, and that is the package that so far, doesn't exist.

Tracks 9 (Pirates) & 10 (Earring) on disk 4 are indeed reversed. I hope that Amazon will take a look to fix this.

I bought this as a gift for my husband. He wasn't expecting this; usually he gives me a list and I choose from it. I saw this while looking for one of his other selections and thought he'd like it. I figured, even if he doesn't, I will. We both love it! Great for listening on long drives up the turnpike!

Reviews

"Girl with a Pearl Earring" was up for lots of awards, which prompted me to find out what was so special. Indeed, it's a feast for the eyes and ears. Music, costumes, sets and glorious widescreen photography capture so very much of the period. Hyped as about the life of Johannes Vermeer, it's really about Griet (a lovely Scarlett Johanssen) and her role as a servant in Vanmeer's household. In the hands of director Peter Webber, the visuals take precedence to an otherwise mundane story. The acting is impeccable. Scarlett is completely in touch, and excellent performances from Essie Davis (as the wife) and Judy Parfitt (as her mother) are complete and rife with issues. Colin Firth, as Vanmeer, is moody and broody; I was rather annoyed with his character for being such a wimp. Also, excellent support from Tom Wilkinson (snakey, evil charm) and Cillian Murphy (never looked better). The film is never boring, but the plot is simple, ad Griet's angst, charm and renewal are well handled. Still, it'll be hard to find a prettier film to watch. Visually, it's period pitch-perfect and Alexandre Desplat's score is dreamy as a Vermeer painting. Worth a look.

Don't expect a factual recount of VerMeer's life or of the circumstances surrounding the painting of the Girl with the Pearl Earring. Do expect a beautifully told story with great acting - how can you beat Colin Firth & Scarlett Johansson. Do expect beautiful costumes, sets and lighting. Do expect compelling emotional involvment with the characters. MUST SEE for any artist - marvelous directing with many offerings of diverse inspirating views - be it abstract, portrait, still life or landscape! BUY THIS movie if you enjoy entertaiment for the sake of being entertained - a brief escape from the grind of the world. BUY THIS movie if you enjoy beauty. This movie is NOT for those expecting MEGA-action. This is NOT for those who cannot appreciate subtlety in relationships. This is probably not for anyone who doesn't look past the focal point of the frame immediately on the screen.

The imagery in this movie evokes the atmosphere of the old dutch paintings. The pace is meditative and the pictures breathe and come to life... Bewitching... A remarkable work.

I am very displeased with the DVD GIRL WITH A PEARL ERRING. I purchased a used DVD that had a gaurantee in good condition on it. It played great until almost the end. Then stuck and dragged through until the ending without a voice.

The Bottom Line: An impressive adaptation of Chevalier's novel that (for my money) does many things better than the book, Girl With a Pearl Earring resists any urges to amplify the book's quiet drama and instead turns in a subtly effective little story.

Reviews

"Girl with a Pearl Earring" was up for lots of awards, which prompted me to find out what was so special. Indeed, it's a feast for the eyes and ears. Music, costumes, sets and glorious widescreen photography capture so very much of the period. Hyped as about the life of Johannes Vermeer, it's really about Griet (a lovely Scarlett Johanssen) and her role as a servant in Vanmeer's household. In the hands of director Peter Webber, the visuals take precedence to an otherwise mundane story. The acting is impeccable. Scarlett is completely in touch, and excellent performances from Essie Davis (as the wife) and Judy Parfitt (as her mother) are complete and rife with issues. Colin Firth, as Vanmeer, is moody and broody; I was rather annoyed with his character for being such a wimp. Also, excellent support from Tom Wilkinson (snakey, evil charm) and Cillian Murphy (never looked better). The film is never boring, but the plot is simple, ad Griet's angst, charm and renewal are well handled. Still, it'll be hard to find a prettier film to watch. Visually, it's period pitch-perfect and Alexandre Desplat's score is dreamy as a Vermeer painting. Worth a look.

Don't expect a factual recount of VerMeer's life or of the circumstances surrounding the painting of the Girl with the Pearl Earring. Do expect a beautifully told story with great acting - how can you beat Colin Firth & Scarlett Johansson. Do expect beautiful costumes, sets and lighting. Do expect compelling emotional involvment with the characters. MUST SEE for any artist - marvelous directing with many offerings of diverse inspirating views - be it abstract, portrait, still life or landscape! BUY THIS movie if you enjoy entertaiment for the sake of being entertained - a brief escape from the grind of the world. BUY THIS movie if you enjoy beauty. This movie is NOT for those expecting MEGA-action. This is NOT for those who cannot appreciate subtlety in relationships. This is probably not for anyone who doesn't look past the focal point of the frame immediately on the screen.

The imagery in this movie evokes the atmosphere of the old dutch paintings. The pace is meditative and the pictures breathe and come to life... Bewitching... A remarkable work.

I am very displeased with the DVD GIRL WITH A PEARL ERRING. I purchased a used DVD that had a gaurantee in good condition on it. It played great until almost the end. Then stuck and dragged through until the ending without a voice.

The Bottom Line: An impressive adaptation of Chevalier's novel that (for my money) does many things better than the book, Girl With a Pearl Earring resists any urges to amplify the book's quiet drama and instead turns in a subtly effective little story.