The Brothers Grimm

Composed by Dario Marianelli

09 - The Queen Awakens (6:25)

10 - The French Arrive (2:52)

11 - Burning the Forest (2:24)
12 - The Eclipse Begins (6:52)
13 - A Slice of Quiche Would Be Nice (4:37)
14 - It's You: You Know the Story (8:02)
15 - Sleeping Beauties (3:50)
16 - And They Lived Happily Ever After (3:40)
17 - End Credits (2:08)

Orchestrated and Conducted by Benjamin Wallfisch

Produced by Dario Marianelli

Released by Decca Records on August 23, 2005

Total Running Time: 71:50

     Terry Gilliam's career is one that has stayed on the outskirts of the filmmaking system. Ask a random member of Joe Public what he thinks of such films as Time Bandits, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, or Brazil, and you'll probably be met with a blank stare. A director of films which suffer the fate of limited releases, butchered cuts, and mixed critical reaction, Gilliam's work is one which is mostly sought out as opposed to being delivered to the public's doorstep. I could even imagine that Gilliam's claim to fame with the Pythons might be unknown to many of my generation (at least as far as tossing his name around would be concerned). However, I get the impression that, for the most part, Gilliam himself cares little for acclaim, and instead makes movies he wants to make, regardless of how commercial they may or might be. I for one have enjoyed the films that I have been able to experience from him, including this one. It seems that The Brothers Grimm is looked down upon, even by those who consider themselves Gilliam fans. I think what is overlooked with this film is that it is Gilliam at his entertaining best. It's not a piece filled with subtle inspirations and mixed messages. Instead, it merely tries to present a new twist on age-old fairytales, and it mostly succeeds. I enjoyed watching it, and while it's not a life-changing event film, it never tries to be.

     Originally slated to be scored by Goran Bregovic, Gilliam instead decided to provide The Brothers Grimm with a more conventional score and turned composing duties over to Dario Marianelli. Marianelli, an Italian composer whose work can be heard in the Keira Knightly-lead Pride and Prejudice as well as the upcoming V for Vendetta, provides that conventional score, although not without a certain quirky element that is benefiting of a Gilliam film. It is "conventional" in a loose sense of the definition, but the orchestra still sounds "off" in a way that I can't exactly put my finger on. Something about the brass section doesn't sound like your typical score, and instead is more like something akin to what you might hear in a British 70s TV score. It's either due to limitations in hiring enough players for that section, or just a simple design decision. Either way, it is benefiting and provides that conventional sound whilst at the same time differentiating itself from the other scores of its type that have come and gone over the years.

     The style is unabashedly dark (as is the film for the most part), with moments that build from the dark rumblings of the string section (not unlike what John Williams used in Attack of the Clones), and others where the typical chaotic orchestral hits come into play. Unfortunately, almost every scene that comprises the dark workings of the enchanted forest is accompanied by this staple. Marianelli does at least provide a nice twist in the form of turning Brahms's lullaby into a more sinister version and this crops up from time to time. There is also a tinkling bell effect that is effectively used to provide a fantasy element or the score as well.

     A notable work, The Brothers Grimm is still unfortunately marred by the typical usage of chaotic orchestral hits to pointedly service the more horrific aspects of the film. A good first impression for Marianelli, yet still not one to recommend to any but fans of the composer or of the film.

Reviewed on February 21, 2006

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