MOVIE MUSIC UK

Original Review by Jonathan Broxton

A film from the ‘psycho bitch from hell’ sub-genre of movies that began with the likes of Fatal Attraction and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Obsessed stars Idris Elba as Derek Charles, a successful executive at a financial accounting company, happily married to the gorgeous Sharon (Beyoncé Knowles), . However, things begin to go wrong for Derek when some innocent inter-office flirting with insecure temp Lisa Sheridan (Ali Larter) leads to stalking, obsession, and more.

The film is directed by Steve Shill and has an original score by Jim Dooley, who continues to make a positive impression in the film music world by throwing off the shackles of the Hans Zimmer sound and generating his own musical style. The score opens with a sweetly sinister piano and harp theme in “Girl’s Gotta Pay Rent” that sounds more like something Christopher Young might write than anything else; this motif continues through much of the score, insinuating its way into the fabric of the music in a way similar to how Lisa insinuates herself into Derek and Sharon’s life.

The lonely piano melody, gently picked harps and strings, and vaguely unnerving tick-tock percussion is very effective at creating a mood of non-specific unease, and for which Dooley should be commended; all the way through cues such as “Lisa Meets Sharon/Blame Shannon” and “If I Were Single” Dooley layers on the thick atmosphere. “A Present for Kyle” provides the first concrete evidence that there is something significantly more dangerous in the offing, with groaning string chords and a slightly more urgent tempo upping the stakes, until the finale in the two “Bitch Fight” cues, when he goes for broke with a couple of flashy action cues that make use of an enhanced synth element and various orchestral stingers.

The score for Obsessed was never released commercially, and is only available as a short 26-minute promo through Dooley’s agent and publicist. It’s a shame, because it’s a clever and enjoyable little thriller score which fans of the genre will surely appreciate.

Rating: ***½

Track Listing:

• Girl’s Gotta Pay Rent/Good Ones Are Always Married (2:41)
• Lisa BTW (0:58)
• Lisa Meets Sharon/Blame Shannon (2:07)
• If I Were Single (2:32)
• I Would Never Cheat On You/She Grabbed Your Package (2:11)
• A Present for Kyle (4:18)
• It’s Just the Sprinklers (2:00)
• Forgot My Purse/Off to My Sister’s (2:58)
• Call Me Back/Champagne Anyone? (2:20)
• Bitch Fight Pt.1 (1:04)
• Bitch Fight Pt.2/Just Hanging Out Some More (3:05)

Running Time: 26 minutes 14 seconds

Promo (2009)