Matchstick Men (2003) was an off-beat project from Ridley Scott after a series of intense, big-budget spectacles (Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Hannibal). Based on a novel by Eric Garcia, the script by Ted Griffin and Nicholas Griffin was a character study about con men (played by Nicholas Cage, Sam Rockwell and Alison Lohman) which, in Scott’s hands, became a comedy with dramatic elements.
Reuniting with Ridley Scott was composer Hans Zimmer, who had scored his previous three films—as well as 1991’s Thelma & Louise—and would go on to score several more. Zimmer, like Scott, sparked to the humor of the story and wrote a delightful, Nino Rota-flavored “Felliniesque” score. This lighthearted approach caused no end of drama behind the scenes, as the studio insisted upon a more serious tone. However, the film was released to critical acclaim, validating the filmmakers’ intentions.
Varèse Sarabande released a 22-track, 56-minute soundtrack of Matchstick Men at the time of the film, including several of the licensed songs that complement Zimmer’s music in the film. This Deluxe Edition is a 30-track, 79-minute program of solely Zimmer’s score (including additional cues by and with Geoff Zanelli, Jim Dooley and Bruce Fowler). The behind-the-scenes conflicts are documented in Kaya Savas’ new liner notes, including a Q-and-A interview with Zimmer that, like his music, never fails to entertain.
01. Flim Flam (0:15)
02. Ichi-Ni-San (3:03)
03. Matchstick Men (2:11) #
04. Klein’s Office (1:24)*
05. Taking Pills (1:49)* #
06. I Have A Daughter? (1:12)
07. Rug Dream (0:57)*
08. Pygmies! (2:09)
09. Suzi’s Topology (0:49)*
10. Angela (4:08)
11. Ticks & Twitches (2:53) #
12. Pool Lights (1:16)
13. Nosy Parker (2:51) #
14. Keep The Change (1:25)
15. Roy’s Rules (2:06) #
16. Dad & Daughter (1:35)
17. Con Artist (5:21) #
18. Let’s Do This (3:22)
19. Airport Con (1:58)*
20. Car Chase (1:40)
21. They Printed You (2:00)
22. No More Pills (4:47) #
23. Obsessive Compulsive (3:23)* #
24. Shame On You (3:13)
25. Frechette Is Shot (5:16)**
26. Tuna Fish And Cigarettes (1:57)*
27. Weird Is Good (6:44) #
28. Carpeteria (3:09)
29. Closing (3:27) #
30. The Banker’s Waltz (3:05)
Score Composed, Arranged and Produced by Hans Zimmer
Except :
*Composed by Hans Zimmer & Geoff Zanelli
**Composed by Hans Zimmer & Jim Dooley
***Composed & Performed by Bruce Fowler, Published by Cephalopod Music (BMI)
# Include "La Dolce Vita" from La Dolce Vita written by Nino Rota
