The Pursuit of Happyness

Product description No Description Available. Genre: Soundtracks & Scores Media Format: Compact Disk Rating: Release Date: 9-JAN-2007 Amazon.com Considering the movie's sentimental tack, this score could have been an exercise in the pursuit of sappyness; fortunately Andrea Guerra mostly avoids turning maudlin or slushy. Guerra's career up until now has been largely based in his native Italy (he got his first big American commission with Hotel Rwanda). Is the composer used to making do with smaller ensemble in Europe? That may explain, then, why he uses the large orchestra at his disposal so sparingly (check out the very nice "Linda Leaves" and "Dinosaurs" for examples of Guerra's light touch); when he goes for the heartstrings, as on "Where's My Shoe," he manages to maintain a sense of dignity. The spry piano in "Running" even evokes the feeling of a Vince Guaraldi tune. Overall there's nothing groundbreaking, but the album is a pleasant listen. Note that the CD does not contain Seal's Golden Globe-nominated song, "A Father's Way." --Elisabeth Vincentelli