The Full Monty

Soundtrack

RCA Victor Records, 1998

REVIEW BY: Sean McCarthy

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 04/13/1998

Cheese lovers-allow me to make an analogy. For a grilled cheese sandwich, sometimes Velveeta is the best cheese to use. It doesn't harden or yellow like sharp cheddar. Yes, sharp cheddar is higher quality and more authentic than processed cheese, but Velveeta still does a better job.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

Producers Robert Kraft (no pun intended) and Laura Ziffren took this idea and came up with the soundtrack to The Full Monty. The soundtrack is filled with campy, fun 70s disco and rock songs as well as some thoughtful, jazzy instrumental original scores. Sister Sledge, Gary Glitter and the supreme camp king, Tom Jones make appearances on The Full Monty.

Like the movie, the soundtrack is dominated by light-hearted moments. The movie and the soundtrack also have poingant moments. "The Lunchbox Has Landed" is a sad piece, arranged by Anne Dudley. It features strings, mandolins and low brass, making it a moody piece. Wonderfully arragned, this and the title track have elements of classical music as well as jazz.

Like the best soundtracks, the music triggers memorable scenes in the movie for the listener. Don't like the Donna Summer song, "Hot Stuff"? Try hitting the skip button after thinking of the hilarious scene when the five mates were groovin' to the song in a social service line.

Lesser known acts like Hot Chocolate are featured on the soundtrack. After listening to "You Sexy Thing", it makes you wonder why that song has not been sampled to death or featured in 70s homage movies.

The only flaw I see with the soundtrack is the social norms you may violate when listening to the soundtrack. Unless you have a neurological disorder, you will have the urge to re-enact the clothes removing scenes if you are blaring "You Can Leave Your Hat On" by Tom Jones or "Rock And Roll Part 2" by Gary Glitter. If you have a house, make sure the drapes are pulled when trying this. You've been warned.

Rating: A-

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© 1998 Sean McCarthy and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of RCA Victor Records, and is used for informational purposes only.