Scotland-born composer
Rolfe Kent (
About Schmidt and
Nurse Betty) doles out an effervescent jazz-laced score for Alexander Payne's winsome comedy Sideways, a character study following a frolicking trio of friends celebrating the end of bachelorhood in the region of California where wine is king.
Kent's soundtrack is more like a bubbling over glass of champagne than a pinot noir. With wistful, accordion-led gems like "Los Olivos" and "Chasing the Golfers," it brings to mind the works of
Yann Tiersan (
Amélie) and Greencard-era
Hans Zimmer.
Kent fills the green valleys of Sonoma county with blurry pastels and the warm, deep reds of evening with terrific ease, painting a whimsical world of melancholy with '60s-infused beatnik motifs -- "I'm Not Drinking Any #@%!$ Merlot!" borrows the melody from "Taste of Honey" with infectious results. Sideways may not move any mountains, but it sure would make the drive through them a lot sunnier. Recommended. ~ James Christopher Monger