At First Sight is about a man regaining the sight he lost as a child, but
more it is about redefining relationships and coming to terms with a real
rather than an imagined world. Mark Isham responds with a sensitive score
in his well-practised manner. It is all very charming but Isham has presented
us with this kind of material before. The trembling, glistening, rustling
figures, the slow measured piano passages, the moods sentimental, nostalgic
cosy, caring and compassionate. It is all warmly presented and no doubt it
works well for the film but this score tends to wash over one as though its
some innocuous easy listening album. Nothing seems to stick; there is no
outstanding theme; no big melody. In fact, it is not until we get to tracks
9 and 10 (‘Our Eyes Aren’t What Make Us See’ and ‘Love
is Where You Are’) do we meet anything like a melody. One feels that
there is a lovely tune about to burst through the texture but instead all
we get are tired components and a routine tune. If I appear harsh in my judgement
of this score it is because I admire the work of Mark Isham and I hoped for
better. The slow-moving music is relieved by two tracks ‘To Share A
Feeling’ and ‘A Seeing Journey’ which seem to suggest The
Val Kilmer’s childish wonder at being able to see so many wonders. The
album also includes songs by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and George
Shearing.
Reviewer
Ian Lace
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