For Your Consideration – Best Original Score – Harry Escott
Film: “Shame”
Director: Steve McQueen
Screenplay: Steve McQueen & Abi Morgan
Realistic Nominations: Best Actor (Michael Fassbender)
Oscar Scene: Opening Sequence on the Train
Reviews for Steve McQueen’s “Shame” have been mostly positive citing the powerful performances of Michael Fassbender and Academy Award Nominee Carey Mulligan with many jumping for the screenplay by Writer/Director Steve McQueen and Abi Morgan. A forgotten and overlooked aspect of this dark yet hauntingly beautiful picture is the score set in place by Harry Escott. Escott has delivered unique, lingering scores on films like “Hard Candy” and “A Mighty Heart.”
In “Shame,” Escott initiates one of the best and most memorable scenes of the year. As Brandon Sullivan (Fassbender) stares longingly at a beautiful, young redhead on the subway, the erotic tension is so thick it can be cut with a knife. As the passion and aroma builds between these two individuals, Escott’s melodic and potent symphony overtakes and nearly creates an overwhelming emotion that can only be resulted in a tear.
The music in McQueen’s film isn’t as prominent or manifested throughout like other big time composers as John Williams, Alexandre Desplat, etc., it’s a subtle undertone that only lands in our entry and exit through this poignant and seductive tale of solitude, isolation, and indignity.
Comment and discuss.
Also, check out yesterday’s segment on Anjelica Huston in “50/50″ and read more about Circuit Considerations and include some suggestions on future ones.
Related Stories:
Tags: Best Original Score, Carey Mulligan, Circuit Consideration, composer, Harry Escott, Michael Fassbender, Oscar hopeful, Shame, Steve McQueen
5 Comments
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI












Agreed 100%
koook160(Quote) (Reply)
I agree as well. The score during both of the subway scenes is mesmerizing.
George(Quote) (Reply)
I actually don’t think this is too much of a long shot, but it’s deserving regardless.
Joey Magidson(Quote) (Reply)
Fantastic choice, I loved every second of the soundtrack. My personal “Oscar scene” pick would be the 3 way. Delicious visually and the score leading up to Fassbender’s close-up, beautiful! Why I love the movies.
however, considering, Escott sampled Zimmer’s “journey to the line”, would that disqualify the score?
tyjagi(Quote) (Reply)
That scene was so hot.
Anna Belickis(Quote) (Reply)