Brokeback Mountain Theme Music (2005) – Gustavo Santaolalla

Posted on July 15, 2021 by observationblogger — Leave a comment

2 days ago in the quietness of the morning, I saw for the umpteenth time the 2005 movie Brokeback Mountain. I have written here before about this movie and how Daniel Day Lewis described Heath Ledger’s acting in it. There are very few performances I have seen which are as exemplary as Ledger’s in this. In addition, the nuance of Ang Lee’s direction, the editing and soundtrack in this film are just sublime. The latter is the subject of today’s post.

I can’t speak more highly of this movie, despite when I first saw Brokeback I had the least bit penchant of seeing two cowboys rollicking around in a tent. I remember seeing the parodies after its controversial release which had me in stitches, but after subsequent viewings Brokeback Mountain remains one of the most beautiful movies I’ve ever seen. I don’t think sexuality has much to do with it since you just know that such a bond like this could have occurred between two people at any time and any place. It just happens to be between two young men.

As I was watching the movie I couldn’t help but wonder how I hadn’t showcased this music in my project because it’s one of the best original movie soundtracks I have ever heard. Brokeback is difficult to imagine viewing without this sublime atmospheric music. The Argentinian composer Gustavo Alfredo Santaolalla (pictured above) won the Academy Award for best original score with Brokeback. He also won the next year for Babel.

Just an aside, I was searching songs from American Christina Perri for my kids not so long ago because I was so enamoured with her Jar of Hearts which I consider one of the greatest ballads I’ve heard this millennium. It just so happened I stumbled across her official video called ‘The Words‘ which has the uncanny resemblance to Santaolalla’ Brokeback soundtrack theme. Don’t ya think?

In 2019 Eric Clapton invited Santaolalla to participate at his Crossroads event in Dallas, Texas. According to wiki: Santaolalla does not know how to read or write musical notation, nor does he use an orchestra for his soundtracks. He said, “I don’t see myself as a film composer. I see myself as more of an artist that uses different forms to express myself.

Below I have relayed the final scene of Brokeback which Daniel Day Lewis was so in awe of in his Academy Speech.

‘That scene in the trailer at the end of the film is about as moving as anything I think I have ever seen.’ – DDL

This scene in microcosmic form encapsulates Ledger’s immersion into the role and like DDL I also feel it’s about the most poignant ending I’ve ever seen in cinema history featuring Santaolalla’s unforgettable soundtrack. I adore how Ennis smells his daughter’s jacket just before he places it in his wardrobe. On repeated viewings this movie offers so much in way of the little, but most important things.

Reference:
1. Gustavo Santaolalla – wikipedia