Perfectly matching a song with a scene is nothing new (see: Scorsese, Martin), but Wes Anderson takes the movie soundtrack to new levels of artistry. In all his films, the young writer-director displayed a record geek's ability to wow viewers with a song that's not only enjoyable but, at its best, makes a scene instantly memorable. With the release of 'Fantastic Mr. Fox,' Anderson's first animated feature, Spinner picked the director's 10 best music moments.
The Who, 'A Quick One While He's Away' ('Rushmore')
While a ton of songs in 'Rushmore' enhance scenes, this revenge montage, where Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman feud over the love of a local teacher, is absolutely killer in that department. As icing on the cake, Anderson stops the Who's sonic assault (lifted from their amazing performance on 'The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus') for a moment, then kicks it back in with a cut to Schwartzman in handcuffs being dragged down a high school hallway. Meanwhile, the Who, rather ironically, scream, "You are forgiven!"
Elliott Smith, 'Needle in the Hay' ('The Royal Tenenbaums')
Despite the film's often staged feel -- it's the first time Anderson packed into one film so many quirky characters and settings -- this harrowing scene dunks viewers into cold water. As an homage to Roman Polanski's 'Repulsion,' Anderson uses a blue filter and quick cuts of Luke Wilson staring into the camera, creating a chilly vibe; and as Smith sings, "But you idiot kid/You don't have a clue," you can't help but feel for Wilson, who seems to realize -- headband and sunglasses and all -- what a caricature he's become. Sadly, it's tough to watch this and not think of Smith's suicide, which occurred two years after the film's release.
Love, '7 and 7 Is' ('Bottle Rocket')
Anderson turns up this punishing protopunk nugget by Arthur Lee and Co. as Owen and Luke Wilson ransack a suburban house -- which we learn is actually a "practice job" -- as well as the childhood home of Luke's character. The director's first feature has a lot going for it -- plenty of distinctly Andersonian touches abound -- but the Wilson brothers' childlike relationship is its backbone. Love's spastic song illustrates this nicely when Lee wails, "When I was a boy I thought about the times I'd be a man."
Listen to Love '7 and 7 Is' -
The Rolling Stones, 'I Am Waiting' ('Rushmore')
The Stones get more soundtrack time than any other band in Anderson's films. Supposedly, a huge chunk of the budget for 'Bottle Rocket' went to securing rights to '2000 Man' -- and two of the band's songs are even played back-to-back in 'Tenenbaums.' But this is our favorite: The vulnerable, less cocky Stones here capture Schwartzman's teen angst exceptionally well and show how all three main characters are, as Mick Jagger puts it, "Waiting for someone to come out of somewhere."
The Stooges, 'Search and Destroy' ('The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou')
Hell, yes! Iggy Pop and Bill Murray together? During a gun fight? This is one of those musical moments that makes you want to stand up and cheer. Wearing a Speedo and a bathrobe, Murray shoots at pirates as the Stooges' meaty riffs make things even more chaotic. Best bit: the ship's intern getting stabbed in the shoulder.
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1 comments:
The Nico song is a classic. Once I was on an Air France flight and they played Nico every time.
This list is missing a hilarious song sequence from The Life Aquatic - just before the boat is boarded by Pirates One of the crew is paying a guitar and singing Ground Control to Major Tom - in PORTUGUESE!!!
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