Netflix’s Ballad of a Small Player is about a man’s haunting descent into addiction and gambling. But akin to every other movie, it’s elevated by the soundtrack that really pulls you into the neon-soaked world of Macau, as you watch Colin Farrell’s character spiral.
Farrell plays Lord Doyle in the movie and stars alongside talented actors like Tilda Swinton, Fala Chen, Deanie IP, and Alex Jennings. What’s commendable about the score is just how well it complements every scene.
Here’s an overview of the tracklist for Ballad of a Small Player:
Track TitleDurationThe City of Dreams1:38Cloaked in Invisibility2:29Spirit World My Arse0:43Skin Her Alive3:21Hungry Ghost2:25Waking Up2:25Handbag Theft1:20Sit Back and Relax0:39Not So Lucky After All2:14Open the Door2:321955-09-012:47Plates0:31Tell Me It’s You1:57Lamma Island2:01Not Too Late for You1:34Take Play Win Part 12:23Take Play Win Part 21:55F**king Hate Champagne0:37All of It1:11Asking You to Dance0:50Another Card2:31F**king Hate Cigars1:34I Was With Her1:42Apartment, Running & Ghost Day6:13Ballad Closing Credits1:26How About That Dance3:56
Moreover, this psychological thriller also marks the reunion of two of the most talented creatives in the industry. So let’s look at who they are and how exactly the music adds to the movie!
Oscar-winning Director and Composer Duo Reunite for Ballad of a Small Player
The soundtrack for “Ballad of a Small Player” is composed by Volker Bertelmann, and Edward Berger directs the movie. They’ve both previously collaborated on Conclave and All Quiet on the Western Front, and their partnership for the latter earned Bertelmann an Academy Award for Best Original Score, while Berger was honored in the Best International Feature Film category.
Since this is their third time partnering up, the creative synergy between the two has only increased. Bertelmann seems to understand what kind of sound Berger wants for each of his scenes, and you can feel the trust they’ve built by observing the daring choices in Ballad of a Small Player.
How Volker Bertelmann’s Intense Score Adds to the Colin Farrell Starrer
A still from Ballad of a Small Player | Netflix
Volker Bertelmann describes Macau through his musical language in The City of Dreams. You feel how the place is alive and pulsating! He doesn’t just work his magic in the grand moments, but also in the tender ones, through tracks like Not Too Late for You, where you experience the beautiful and tragic connection between Dao and Doyle.
When Doyle is going through breakdowns and hallucinations, Bertelmann’s score taps into the situation’s anxiety, as if you’re right there with the character. Ballad of a Small Player’s ending, though criticized by many, feels a lot more effective due to the soundscape that plays throughout the sequence.
Since the movie’s title literally includes the word “Ballad,” its music was important, and the composer delivered on all fronts as he added contemporary as well as traditional Chinese sounds. So, what do you think about Bertelmann’s latest collaboration with Edward Berger?
Ballad of a Small Player is currently streaming on Netflix (USA).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
