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Jackie (soundtrack)

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Jackie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Film score by
Mica Levi
Released2 December 2016 (2016-12-02)
StudioAngel Recording Studios, London
Genre
Length34:03
LabelMilan
ProducerMica Levi
Mica Levi chronology
Remain Calm
(2015) 		Jackie
(2016) 		Slow Dark Green Murky Waterfall
(2018)

Jackie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2016 film of the same name, released alongside the film on December 2, 2016, by Milan Records. The score is composed by Mica Levi in their second feature film score after Under the Skin (2013).[1][2] It received nominations for Best Original Score at the 89th Academy Awards and Best Film Music at the 69th British Academy Film Awards, amongst numerous other accolades.

Development

[edit]

Pablo Larraín recruited Mica Levi to compose music after he loved their work on Under the Skin while watching at the 70th Venice International Film Festival.[3] Their inspiration towards Jackie Kennedy helped them to write the "light-hearted music" that matched the film, but also had a sense of tragedy as well. Speaking to Fact Magazine, they recalled their experience on how the score indicates her life post Kennedy's assassination, saying:[4]

"She’s got the seriousness and the trauma of all the lives that she’s lost — her kids, as well — and all of this is being brought up while she has to face all of the world. But she’s also smashing back the drinks, smashing back the pills, because she’s trying to keep level somehow."[4]

Levi referenced the music of classical films from the 1970s to influence it in their score as well as John Coltrane and Morton Feldman's works. The scoring process was very quick, with "In terms of the first bits, it felt really quick, then there was a gap in the middle and then another bit afterward". Even before the post-production, Levi started sending music that matched appropriately to the character and the film and while editing, they got the piece to editor Sebastian to include in the final edit of the film. Hence, the soundtrack begins with a downward note as per Larraín's suggestion.[5][6]

To reflect Jackie's character, they used glissandos in the score, as did in her studio album with Shapes, Chopped & Screwed (2011) and Under the Skin. Levi acknowledged that they were interested in this technique as it was like "something that happens if you slow [your playing] down, you get this glooping and distortion and morphing of [sound]" which they felt quite expressive and give the score an "extra frill" but also create a sonic palette reminiscent of the 1960s, the film's period which was set. The addition of glissandos could give it an "indulgent" and "soupy" texture.[4]

The film's periodic setting also helped Levi to choose a "jazz band" kind of instruments, without saxophones or trumpets as they felt the music should be very "quaint".[4] The score is performed by three bassists, eight violins, six violas, six cellos, two flutes, with one of them playing clarinet, percussion and vibraphone, tied together, to sound homogenous. They further doubled the flutes and spread harmonies, so that they cannot be played together and if being put in unison, does not sound professional, creating a sound which was "quite meaningful and innocent". They put the basses up and made it loud and course, overlaid with hard brass, wind and strings giving a "posh, rich sound".[7] The score was written within four to five months, quite less than the duration they worked in Under the Skin.[8]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

Kevin Lozano of Pitchfork gave the score 7.5 out of 10, summarising "Levi’s score concretizes and helps control the artistic experience of the film. In effect, the score may not supersede its filmic anchor, but is sure does make the entire endeavor more beautiful."[9] Music critic Jonathan Broxton commented "Levi’s steadfast refusal to even make herself aware of what her film’s dramatic arc actually is renders her music entirely pointless".[10] Adam Kivel of Consequence wrote "Mica Levy is a supremely talented storyteller, able to tap into the most subtle moments and reveal unknown layers."[11] James Southall of Movie Wave gave four stars to the album, opining that it "makes the moments of subtle levity all the more effective".[12]

Sam Mackay of The Quietus had indicated that the score has "everything to do with the off-modern freshness of her approach in a field dogged by generic bombast and minimalism-by-numbers".[13] Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote "Levi's score is as powerful a presence as Jackie herself, and its creativity is more appropriate than more traditional music would have been."[14] Lauren Murphy of The Irish Times called it as an "understated score" rating three out of five.[15] Mark Kermode of The Guardian complimented Levi's score, saying "From the saddening glissando strings of the opening theme, with its falling invocations of death and discord, Levi provides the unifying emotional glue for Larraín’s deliberately shattered film. There’s a touch of Jonny Greenwood’s deeply unsettling music for There Will Be Blood about the recurrent swooning motif that Levi deploys, while eerie silences echoing between strong but fragile chords poignantly recall Jackie’s isolation. Elsewhere, the drums of war scratch at the edges of plaintive piano pieces, while jazzier sounds evoke the sunny 60s optimism that was shattered in the wake of the Dealey Plaza shooting."[16]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards February 26, 2017 Best Original Score Mica Levi Nominated [17]
[18]
Austin Film Critics Association December 28, 2016 Best Score Mica Levi Nominated [19]
[20]
Boston Society of Film Critics December 11, 2016 Best Original Score Mica Levi Won [21]
[22]
British Academy Film Awards February 12, 2017 Best Original Music Mica Levi Nominated [23]
Chicago Film Critics Association December 15, 2016 Best Original Score Mica Levi Won [24]
Critics' Choice Awards December 11, 2016 Best Score Mica Levi Nominated [25]
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association December 13, 2016 Best Musical Score Mica Levi 2nd Place [26]
Florida Film Critics Circle December 23, 2016 Best Score Jackie Runner-up [27]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 17, 2016 Best Original Score – Feature Film Mica Levi Nominated [28]
[29]
Houston Film Critics Society January 6, 2017 Best Original Score Mica Levi Nominated [30]
[31]
IndieWire Critics Poll December 19, 2016 Best Original Score or Soundtrack Mica Levi Won [32]
London Film Critics Circle January 22, 2017 Technical Achievement Mica Levi (music) Nominated [33]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association December 4, 2016 Best Music Mica Levi Runner-up [34]
San Diego Film Critics Society December 12, 2016 Best Use of Music in a Film Jackie Runner-up[a] [35]
[36]
San Francisco Film Critics Circle December 11, 2016 Best Original Score Mica Levi Won [37]
[38]
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association December 18, 2016 Best Music/Score Mica Levi Runner-up [39]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association December 5, 2016 Best Score Mica Levi Nominated [40]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleLength
1."Intro"1:26
2."Children"3:20
3."Car"0:23
4."Tears"0:53
5."Autopsy"2:39
6."Empty White House"2:58
7."Graveyard"3:10
8."Lee Harvey Oswald"1:58
9."Walk to the Capitol"2:43
10."Vanity"2:59
11."Decision Made"0:33
12."Burial"2:33
13."The End"5:14
14."Credits"3:14
Total length:34:03

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Tied with La La Land

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mica Levi Details Jackie Soundtrack, Shares New Track "Children": Listen". Pitchfork. November 10, 2016. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  2. ^ Nordine, Michael (November 21, 2016). "'Jackie' Soundtrack: Stream Mica Levi's Powerful, Haunting Score". IndieWire. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  3. ^ Godfrey, Alex (July 18, 2023). "Mica Levi interview: the film composer on Under the Skin, their new movie, Monos, and playing music with birds". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Lobenfeld, Claire (December 5, 2016). "Mica Levi on Jackie and how to soundtrack grief". Fact Magazine. Archived from the original on December 11, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Lynch, Joe (February 25, 2017). "From Indie Darling to Oscar Nominee, 'Jackie' Composer Mica Levi Is a Laid-Back Innovator to Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  6. ^ Mokoena, Tshepo (June 6, 2018). "Mica Levi Is a True Musical Genius". Vice. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  7. ^ "How To Write An Unforgettable Movie Score, According To Mica Levi". The FADER. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  8. ^ Beauman, Ned (February 23, 2017). "Mica Levi's Intensely Unconventional Film Scores". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Archived from the original on May 19, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  9. ^ "Mica Levi: Jackie OST". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 10, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  10. ^ "JACKIE – Mica Levi". MOVIE MUSIC UK. January 28, 2017. Archived from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  11. ^ Kivel, Adam (November 28, 2016). "Album Review: Mica Levi - Jackie OST". Consequence. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  12. ^ Southall, James (February 5, 2017). "Jackie soundtrack review". Movie Wave. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  13. ^ Mackay, Sam (February 10, 2017). "Jackie – Mica Levi". The Quietus. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  14. ^ Phares, Heather. "Review: Jackie [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on December 10, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "Mica Levi: Jackie OST review: understated score for Mrs JFK's biopic". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  16. ^ Kermode, Mark (January 22, 2017). "Jackie review – a symphony of grief at the White House". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  17. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 24, 2017). "Oscars: 'La La Land' Ties Record With 14 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 24, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ "Oscar Nominations: Complete List". Variety. January 24, 2017. Archived from the original on January 24, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  19. ^ Anderson, Erik (December 15, 2016). "Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Nominations: The Handmaiden Lands Top Mentions, Trevante Rhodes Double Nominated". AwardsWatch.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  20. ^ Miller, Neil (December 15, 2016). "2016 Austin Film Critics Awards Nominees, 'Moonlight' and 'Arrival' lead the way in AFCA's 2016 nominations". Medium.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  21. ^ Shanley, Patrick (December 11, 2016). "'La La Land' Named Best Picture by Boston Society of Film Critics". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  22. ^ "Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress 2016". Boston Society of Film Critics Official at Twitter. December 11, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  23. ^ Ritman, Alex (January 9, 2017). "BAFTA Awards: 'La La Land' Leads Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  24. ^ "The 2016 Chicago Film Critics Association Award Nominees". Chicago Film Critics Association. December 11, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  25. ^ "La La Land Leads with 12 Nominations for the 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards". Critics' Choice. December 1, 2016. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  26. ^ "DFW Film Critics Name 'Moonlight' Best Film of 2016". Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association. December 13, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  27. ^ "'MOONLIGHT' LEADS 2016 FLORIDA FILM CRITICS AWARDS NOMINATIONS". Florida Film Critics Circle. December 21, 2016. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  28. ^ "Justin Timberlake & Alexandre Desplat Among Winners At Hollywood Music In Media Awards". Deadline. November 18, 2016. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  29. ^ McNary, Dave (November 2, 2016). "'La La Land' Scores Three Hollywood Music in Media Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  30. ^ "Houston Film Critics Nominations for 2016 Films". MovieAwardsPlus.com. December 13, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  31. ^ "Houston Film Critics Society Nominations – 'The Nice Guys' and Rebecca Hall Get a Deserved Boost". AwardsCircuit.com. December 13, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  32. ^ Greene, Steve (December 19, 2016). "2016 IndieWire Critics Poll: Full List of Results". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  33. ^ "'Moonlight' and 'Love and Friendship' Lead London Film Critics' Circle Nominations". Variety. December 20, 2016. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  34. ^ "42nd Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards 2016 Winners". Los Angeles Film Critics Association. December 4, 2016. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  35. ^ "2016 San Diego Film Critics Society's Award Nominations". December 9, 2016. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  36. ^ "San Diego Film Critics Society's 2016 Award Winners". December 12, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  37. ^ Flores, Marshall (December 9, 2016). "San Francisco Film Critics Circle Nominations!". AwardsDaily.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  38. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (December 12, 2016). "'Moonlight' Named Best Picture by San Francisco Film Critics Circle". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  39. ^ "2016 StLFCA Annual Award Nominations". St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association. December 12, 2016. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  40. ^ "The 2016 WAFCA Awards Nominations". December 3, 2016. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
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