Soundtracks Reviews
Soundtrack Review: ‘Youth without Youth’
By Jeff Swindoll
Jan 2, 2008, 17:42 GMT

Francis Ford Coppola returns to filmmaking after a ten year absence with this fantastical tale.  In 1938 Romania Tim Roth plays an elderly writer who is struck by lightening and begins to age backwards.  This fortuitous quirk of fate makes him very interesting to the Nazis who pursue him across Europe. 

I’ve heard mixed reviews about the film, but the soundtrack is a delightful experience that evokes thoughts of Doctor Zhivago and even The Third Man.  Composer Osvaldo Golijov has crafted a soundtrack that feels classic in very way as well as evoking thoughts of several memorable films to my tin ear. 

As per the science-fiction/fantasy elements in the film Golijov has also crafted several works that have an eerie quality such as “Dominic’s Nightmare” and “Dr. Rudolf’s Suicide.”  There are also some period pieces such as “O Alba Tigareta Parfumata” and “Noapte Buna Mimi.” 

The soaring “Laura Reborn” also serves as a wonderful sound experience.  Even if you think that the movie isn’t very good, you’ll have to agree that the soundtrack is a wonderful listen. 

It has the feel of an old Hollywood film and also uses native instruments (part of the film is in Romania and other European locations) to great effect.  A sonic masterpiece and one you’ll enjoy even if you didn’t like if you haven’t seen the film it comes from, I know I did.