the importance of music in film

Two of my favorite contemporary film composers are Patrick Doyle and Carter Burwell. Henry Mancini and Dave Grusin a few years before. The movie scores of that group are as individual and influential as any of the characters in their movies, IMO.

It's interesting to hear the efforts of musicians who crossed over to attempt film composition, too. Michael Kamen, Danny Elfman, Ry Cooder, Trevor Rabin, Trent Reznor, and, of course, Randy Newman, for example.

I have some movies I'd only watch or listen for the soundtrack while movies themselves average or worse:

Last Man Standing
Jackal
In the Name of the Father

There are movies that are superb so the soundtrack doesn't matter at all such as 12 Angry Man

Example of movie perfection and soundtrack is I believe
Once Upon A Time in America (Ennio Morricone)

One of my (and my wife's) all time favorite films is the 1964 French musical "The_Umbrellas_of_Cherbourg". It is the only film I am aware of in which every word is sung, not spoken. The music was composed by Michel Legrand.

Regards,
-- Al

Al I adore this soundtrack as well!

One of my closest friends, Rob Guillory, does amazing soundtracks. His most recent, Long Distance Revolutionary, is a really adventurous exercise in avant-garde guitar composition. Unfortunately, the movie is hard to watch and many may find it offensive.

Music's great, tho.