It was only a matter of time that Billy Crystal was contracting Marc Shaiman for the score of a movie directed by himself (previously they met for short movies), given the connection that their careers have had for years. This beautiful (and unfortunately unknown) debut of Crystal in the directing role obtained a nomination for the Oscars in the category as Best Supporting Actor (David Paymer), and presents a interesting group of actors: Crystal, a still unknown Helen Hunt, Jerry Orbach and Ron Silver), as well as enterteining appearances (Jerry Lewis and the own Marc Shaiman in Lucky Zinberg's role.
The compact disc from this drama (that is not a comedy) contains Marc Shaiman's sensational score, articulated along several sentimental and nostalgic themea (according to the history, where the passage of time is vital), with presence of valuable well-known soloists at the expense of violin or saxo, but introducing besides material of a highly dramatic tone (soloist trumpet).

This soundtrack can be summarized of the following form:

-A First Main Theme: One among several unforgettable main themes in the score is pure melancholy and part of one of the best works in Shaiman´s the career. Associated with Buddy Young Jr´s career already from the beginnings and used in several versions.
-A Second Main Theme: A sad theme and associated by the first time in the movie to Stan (the brother, performed by David Paymer), and his difficult relationship with Buddy Young Jr. This theme is also used in the "Mama", an excellent track where its fullly developed and that is dedicated to the mother of the brothers, whose death will re-united them. This theme is also used (with Elaine's theme), for a touching final scene between Buddy and his daughter, Susan, in a new variant of great tenderness and again, great nostalgia.
-A Third Main Theme: For Elaine, Buddy´s Wife. It appears, for example, in the delicate scene of the courtship.
-Other dramatic themes. "Buddy´s Blues", for example, an excellent dramatic and sad tune, with a trumpet as protagonist, and centres several tracks of the score, reflecting the drama on screen. Its appears in the track "It Should have been You", but it really is a new dramatic theme, with new music, composed for the disappointment that the loss of the role in a movie provokes in Buddy, as well as the later new clash among the brothers.
-Other tunes. Punctual passages are used as link to join themes or transitions between these principal themes, providing this work of a major thematic variety and using as bridge in order that all these great themes before related, can make appearance in the just the right moment.
-Original musical numbers composed for the movie. As "Buddy Buddy", composed by the friends gang from TV Show "Saturday Night Live" (Crystal, Shaiman and the scriptwriters and executive producers Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel).
-Other musical numbers. Among others, "My Buddy", by Gus Khan and Walter Donaldson (used for the opening credits). Other good songs, performed by Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Aaron Lebedeff and Billy Crystal.

As conclusion: one of Shaiman´s masterpieces, unjustly destined to be less considered than other greatest works from the composer (The American President, Patch Addams...), and a wonderful soundtrack with music that in the movie reaches tremendously touching moments. There is not so much music missing in the CD release, though there are interesting moments not included, as a version of the first main theme for piano over a slight accompaniment of strings. Crystal will return to contract Shaiman in his other two movies as the director: Forget Paris and 61*.

10