Simon Fisher-Turner's reputation rests largely on the soundtrack work he created for director Derek Jarman, and
Garden is one of his best. Like many of Jarman's films, Garden is less a narrative construct than a loosely connected series of images revolving around several themes (here a possible Madonna -- the religious kind -- figure and a harassed gay couple), with very little dialogue. Thus, the soundtrack takes on an enormous importance, becoming essentially, a central character in the movie.
Turner's style -- wafting;
Eno-esque; willing to incorporate all manner of found sounds and conversation; redolent with bittersweet nostalgia, yet capable of unflinching, harsh realism -- fits Jarman perfectly. Here, the musical information is relayed by a matrix of string quartet (the fine Balenescu Quartet), guitar, tapes, and voice, interwoven in dreamlike fashion with both gradual segues and abrupt, shocking shifts. He's also not without a sly and ironic sense of humor, as when the dark and lugubrious "Drowned by Time" ends with a delightfully kitschy '50s pop song (from Funny Face) called "Think Pink."
Turner's roving, cinematic approach makes for an endless cascade of fascinating and diverse sound-images, finishing up with a brief but lovely solo guitar piece that hints of Spanish origin. Recommended. ~ Brian Olewnick