Search - Elmer Bernstein :: Hoodlum: Original Score Soundtrack

An overlooked Bernstein score

Brandon Cutro | Tyler, Texas United States | 10/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Elmer Bernstein, who just recently turned 80 this year and still going strong, does a great job doing the music for Hoodlum. Not owning many Bernstein scores and only hearing a few of them, I was a little anxious about this one. I decided to give it a chance though and i'm glad I did. The music contains a grandiose theme with a lush symphonic orchestra. The theme is present in "Prologue" and "Francine" among others. The theme however was underused quite a bit and should of been used a lot more because it is that good. The rest of the score contains a soft piano, sax solos, and a few woodwind solos accompanied by the orchestra. "Revenge" is one of the few action cues in the score, which lasts for a short time. "From the Womb to the Tomb" shows Bernstein in his western style, reminding me of The Magnificent Seven. The last cue "Amazing Grace" is good but I think should have been left off the soundtrack. The director of the film, Bill Duke in the liner notes says it best: "Elmer Bernstein's score is timeless. However, it simultaneously captures the heart and spirit of 1930s Harlem. In short...it is wonderful.""