Marcelo Zarvos’ score for Beastly blends the sounds of what should be two opposing worlds into a smooth statement about naïvete and cruelty being overcome by decency and devotion. His main theme is harmonically evocative of a pop tune, perfectly evoking the breezy sensibilities of reckless / carefree high school students, and their fickle bouts with love and rejection.

Zarvos filters his theme through a minimalist structure, emphasizing a maniacal repeated figure through chamber strings, soothing vibes, or through a synth-rock arrangement (“High School”).

While the two-note motif makes its way through a handful of chord progressions, Zarvos focuses on small subtleties – clarinet solo, or just sustained notes giving way to ominous tones – to convey the moral learning curve of the film’s arrogant character: a teen who has a year to find a genuine soul mate, and break the ugliness curse thrust upon him by an angry teen witch.

The real attraction to this simple, elegantly conceived score is the intimate emotions that transcend the long-gone film, making the music a striking standalone work. It’s minimalism in a romantic and sometimes witty light, and Zarvos’ work is one of the loveliest soundtrack releases of the year.

© 2011 Mark R. Hasan