My Favorite Themes - Part X

Score: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang by John Ottman (Superman Returns)

About the film: After a heist gone bad, a petty thief (Robert Downey Jr.) stumbles into an movie audition. Next thing he knows, he's in Hollywood, where he and a detective (Val Kilmer) investigate an unusual crime. To be honest, a mere summary doesn't do justice. This comic thriller (or should that be thrilling comedy?) was the best film I saw last year, thanks greatly to debuting director Shane Black's clever script and fine performances by (and terrific chemistry between) Downey and Kilmer. It's now on DVD. Be the first on your block to see it!

Title: "Harmony Lane". The movie's heroine (the breathtaking Michelle Monaghan) is a small town girl as well as a big fan of Jonny Gossamer detective novels. Both facets are reflected in the theme: saxophone riffs augmenting a repeating piano melody. There's no mistaking the tune; it's the first thing you hear in the film.

Other themes of interest: The "Main Titles" feature two different motifs: the first details the mystery at the film's heart (the beginning of "Surveillance Lesson"). The other underlines the light, hip side of the story ("They Took My Crickets", as well as a beautifully dark version in "First Kill".)

Availability: One would think that, following last month's entry, I'm just one of their publicist drones, but La La Land Records...they just plain put out fantastic scores.