"The Crisis" written and performed by Ennio Morricone
Ennio Morricone is a well-known Italian composer of over 400 films, including: "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly", and "Once Upon A Time In America"and has received several Grammies, Oscar nominations and many international awards as well as being Knighted in the Order of the Legion of Honor.
7 Pounds stars Will Smith who plays Ben Thomas, an inconsolable man paralyzed in self-damnation after becoming the lone surviver of an avoidable car accident involving his fiancé and several others he caused. While it becomes heartbreakingly clear Ben's lazer-focused, selfless deeds are changing the lives of those he deems deserving of a second chance, he feels his own life is invalid of redemption.
I like the film. It's concept is thoughtful but it's Will Smith's highly emotional performance that makes the film worth watching. I really enjoy Will Smith as a dramatic actor. He, like Jim Carey and other great physical comedic actors, in my opinion, are far more gifted dramatic actors than comedians. Now, don't get me wrong I am sure I've watched every episode of The Fresh Price of BelAir at least 20 times and still laugh just as much as the first time. However, there is so much more skill and vulnerability involved when making a character's grief, guilt, and anguish relatable and real and... I believe him. I get totally sucked into every performance and end up aching along side his characters.
I think the music Ennio Morricone created for this film mirrors Ben Thomas' character perfectly! This composition may appear to be simple by music theory standards but it is far from simple in emotional and creative depth.
The melody consists of a partial cord progression hic-uped on an accidental played on the 3rd note in every climb. On the second verse a second piano sweetly comes in quickly followed by an on-set of smooth, monotoned strings; neither overshadowing the consistent sforzando piano melody with it's consistent jarring accidental. By the third verse the second piano transforms into a staccatoed march while the strings crescendo into a passionate, heavenly legato body while the tenacious melody holds firm elevating the piece into an almost tangible viscosity of euphoria. The last verse reverts back to the lone melody crawling to the finish with just a whisper of strings remaining until the audience is left with final not of the suppended accidental. Brilliant.
As I listen to this piece I envision a young child practicing his/her scales along side their teacher or parent. I put myself in the position of the child. It invokes a wave of emotions especially for anyone who's ever taken piano lessons and periodically performed to an adjudicator to have their skill sized-up. In the case of Ben Thomas he's not being judged against skill level but by his deeds yet to a young child who's trying to just get through their ajudicators verdict with unwavering acceptence, it can feel the same.
This piece is note worth to me because it's truly breath-taking. The first time I heard it I immediately took notice of its elementary level symmetry while respecting how beautiful and truly poignant it's message. That accidental hits you hard the first couple times and absolutely throws you off but the piece never resolves the accidental, every climb ends in a clash. It doesn't stop for the sake of being defiant or abrasive but for the sake of steading the course. That melody courses an unyielding march; it doesn't rush, its doesn't back down when the strings out-shine, its raw and its powerful and by the end those accidentals are gorgeous. I think Ennio was graciously saying there will always be accidentals but its how we react to them that reveals our final character and beautiful resolve.
