Exceptional soundtracks can make good movies great. They can also take on a life of their own, becoming a greater highlight than their respective films. In this series, I’m selecting some of my favorite soundtrack songs. While quite a few are well-known recordings, I’m also including a few that have flown under the radar over the years.
Most soundtrack artists are brought on to help complete a movie. But in the case of Magnolia, P.T. Anderson’s vision for the film was inspired by Aimee Mann’s songs. The music was the impetus, not the end product. Every Aimee Mann song on the album is gold, whether it was written for Magnolia or it existed before the film, which is the case of “Wise Up”.
This track stands out from the rest for one reason only: it was the one song that became part of the script. In an unexpected sequence, P.T. Anderson had each of the main characters take turns singing the verses to Aimee Mann’s song. It was masterfully directed. Instead of feeling like a music video slotted into the film, it became one of the movie’s most powerful sequences. It built a much needed pregnant pause into the narrative. It showed a different dimension to each of the characters. It put the entire ensemble together on the same wavelength. And it all started from one song.
“Prepare a list of what you need before you sign away the deed.”