Susan Speaks

The Patriot track 14: "Susan Speaks"
composed by John Williams
Hollywood Records 2000

So what should be my first Williams score? Again, I step over the obvious choices like Jaws or Star Wars and pick something noteworthy yet less familiar. While The Patriot is not my favorite Williams, it has a very good theme and packs a lot into its score. The movie did not fair well at the box office even with Mel Gibson's name attached. An already dwindling acting career at that point, Mel Gibson's character in The Patriot is a family man forced to fight for independence during the revolutionary war. The film is gruesome and paints the period British as atrocious war mongers. It also treats Benjamin as a revenge seeking one man savior, something I doubt has much truth at its basis. Still, the film was rewarded with a Best Sound and Best Cinematography nomination at the Academy Awards and of course, boasts a nomination for Best Original Score by Mr. Williams, his 28th nomination at the time. This track occurs when the tragically mute Susan finally speaks to say goodbye to her father as he returns to war. It is a touching moment and plays on Gibson's acclaim with child actors.

"Susan Speaks" starts with one of the album's main themes, a very drawn out string passage containing the intervals of the true theme of the movie. It is tragic in nature with light moments of hopeful peaks. After its conclusion a pipe flute introduces the main theme with bittersweet speed accompanied by guitar. The theme is simple and represents as such reflecting the period and scene. It is answered by the violins tremolo and other string underlying sequences while Gibson pleads for some sound from his daughter. The track moves to silence before moving into what I love best. A repeat of the first sweeping passage only louder and with more bass and crescendo à la Philip Glass. You can not help being captured by the melody. Ending the passage is a bit of hope with a nice suspended fourth.

This track reflects a lot of the album but does not contain everything. Williams does a good job of combining uplifting moments, battle sequences, and dramatic flairs throughout the album. The final reprise is perfect example of it all. However, some of the moments are a bit overly emotional and tend to make your eyes roll. Still, the themes are well concocted and used continuously so that the listener keeps involved in the movie.