US Release
Label:  Sony Music Soundtrax
Catalogue:  489502 2

  01.  As Good As It Gets  (1:25)
  02.  A Better Man  (5:35)
  03.  Humanity  (6:25)
  04.  Too Much Reality  (6:06)
  05.  1.2.3.4.5  (3:54)
  06.  Greatest Woman on Earth  (7:48)
 
 

  01.  As Good as it Gets (1:25)
  02.  A better man (5:35)
  03.  Humanity (6:25)
  04.  Too much reality (6:07)
  05.  1.2.3.4.5 (3:54)
  06.  Greatest woman on earth (7:49)
  07.  (none)  (7:50)
  08.  (none)  (3:31)
 
 
 

Receiving a Academy Award nomination, As Good As It Gets marked a fine return to intimate film scoring after years lost to action films, and the like.  I've always maintained that Hans is at his best when writing small dramatic scores than to the glossy Hollywood blockbuster.  This is even more so the case when he's working with James L. Brooks, one of the creative geniuses behind The Simpsons.  When As Good As It Gets was initially released, the (online) soundtrack community met the score with mixed reactions; many disliking it for its inherent absence of synthesizers.  Scored in the vein of A League of their Own, the score represented much of a delight, radiating a warm romantic aura, complimented by the quirky theme representing Jack Nicholson's abominable onscreen (and offscreen?!) character.  Again, pianist Mike Lang, who, during the 90's, provided some of the most stunning piano performances for John Barry, proves why he's the top player in soundtrack circles.  His playing, coupled with Zimmer's talent for conjuring sublime melodies, makes As Good As It Gets a fine addition to the Zimmer collection.  And those flute motifs.... wonderful!  Credit must also be given to the sound recording- a crisp, and faultless recording.  Some trivia: when James L. Brooks accepted his Golden Globe for Best Comedy or Musical film, he mentioned Hans in his acceptance speech, referring to him as "the noted idealist, Hans Zimmer!"

- Alain Phomphoukhao (tdap@hotmail.com)

Credits

Music Composed by Hans Zimmer
Conducted by Harry Gregson-Williams and Lucas Richmond
Orchestrated by Bruce Fowler and Suzette Moriarty

Piano Mike Lang
Clarinet James Kanter
Violin Ralph Morrison
Viola Brian Dembow
Solo Celli Steve Erdody and Armen Ksajikian
Bass Nico Abondolo
Flute James Walker
Oboe Phillip Ayling
Basoons David Riddles and Ronald Sannelli
Harp Katie Kirkpatrick

Purchasing Options

CDNOW  -- US pressing

Interviews & Other Relevant Links

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