The Role of Music in Film: Creating Emotional Resonance

Music carries so much emotion within itself; some songs make us cry, some make us smile, and some make us nostalgic. There’s no doubt that music is a powerful way of expressing feelings. Sometimes, when words fail us, music is what still makes its way into our hearts. Maybe that’s why certain songs stay with us forever. 

Cinema uses this power of music in the form of songs and background scores in a beautiful way. The score or soundtrack of the film is like a secret ingredient that is used to enrich every part of the film without the audience realizing how or when the filmmakers affected their feelings. But why does music in films hold such importance? 

Let’s dive into the world of music and cinema to discover how music changes and enhances the narrative of a film and supports the depiction of characters in the best way possible. 

La La Land: A Dauntless Pause Between Reams

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Under the Direction of Damien Chazelle, La La Land falls in the category of old-school Hollywood musicals. The film follows the lives of  Mia (Emma Stone), an emerging actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a passionate jazz fan, trying to build their careers and relationships in Los Angeles. Consequently, the soundtrack is not intended to be an auxiliary figure only but rather functions as a narrative device that conveys the heart of the characters’ aspirations, fights, and feelings.

Justin Hurwitz’s scores are the pulse, indeed, the very pulse of the film. Such songs as ‘City of Stars’ and ‘Another Day of Sun’ are openers as well as fill in the story, echoing the dreams and hardships of the characters, and the sweet sorrow in their love. For example, Sebastian is a lover of jazz, and loves to play it on the piano, which he does in compositions, like “Mia and Sebastian’s Theme.” It showcases his love for this art and his dedication to it. On the other hand, Mia’s character is expressed in songs such as “Audition (The Fools Who Dream),” which depict the crooked harmlessness and false ideals of her resolution towards her hopes. The music swells and recedes, mirroring the characters’ emotions and leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Coco: Celebrating Culture and Family Through Music

Directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina, Pixar’s Coco portrays the rich culture of Mexico. The plot focuses on Miguel, a young boy wanting to be a musician but living with a family that has a generational musical ban. The intrigue of Miguel’s journey to the land of the dead is complemented by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s magnificent score and a stunning collection of songs dedicated to the national music of Mexico.

Music composed by Michael Giacchino for Coco celebrates the richness of Mexico. One of the most integral and beautiful pieces of music is ‘Remember Me,’ which appears in the film on different occasions and plays an important role in showcasing the bond between the living and those in the land of the dead, as well as the importance of family. In this film, music is not an accessory but the engine of the plot. Young Miguel’s obsession with music as well as his desire to defy all odds to make it, makes up the major drama of the tale. Songs like ‘Un Poco Loco’ and ‘The World Es Mi Familia’ demonstrate Miguel’s ecstatic spirit and  knowledge about his roots. With its music, the film enhances and creates a colorful image of the Land of the Dead.

Inside Out: Navigating Emotions Through Music

Inside Out, a feature film directed by Pete Docter, delves into the emotions experienced by a young girl during the difficult transition of moving to another state. The music composed by Michael Giacchino is crucial to the mood of the film, which delves into the human mind. It enriches the visual narrative of how the character Riley experiences happiness, sadness, fear, anger, and even disgust.

Riley is the main character in Inside Out and each of the musical themes is meant to capture the particular feelings that are felt by Riley. As time goes by in the film and Riley’s emotions get more complicated, the music also changes. It becomes darker and sadder in order to accompany her tangled emotions. As Joy and Sadness travel throughout Riley’s long-term memories, the music changes to accommodate their surroundings and feelings. Movement is enhanced by music in scenes such as the “Train of Thought” sequence. At the same time, quieter tracks like “Memory Lanes” provide support during more thoughtful moments of the film.

The soundtracks in Inside Out not only entertain but further heighten the portrayals of the character’s Joy, Sadness, and all other emotions. Each emotion has its own set of musical motifs that determine its character and place in Riley’s brain. These sounds enhance the understanding of the perspective of the characters more for the audience.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ): Iconic Romance Through Melodic Magic

Let’s switch gears to Bollywood, where music is often the film’s soul. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), directed by Aditya Chopra, is a quintessential Bollywood romance that has captured the hearts of audiences for decades. The music composed by Jain-Lalit is evergreen; songs like Tujhe Dekha To and Mere Khwabon Mein are still fresh and full of youth. The film’s music also helps build up the romantic interest between Raj and Simran.

Music in DDLJ gives the feeling of romance and nostalgia. Songs like “Tujhe Dekha To” perfectly embody young love, passion, and desire to be together. This song has remained popular throughout time and is still regarded as one of the most romantic songs in Bollywood’s history. The music incorporated in the movie helps critically enhance the effects of the storyline, making it memorable. The song “Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko To Pyar Sajna” best depicts the romantic idea as Raj and Simran embrace the fact that they are in love. The music emphasizes the dramatic elements connected with the action, contributing to the meaningfulness of the characters’ roles. The climax scene of this movie, which has the song “Tujhe Dekha To,” is one of the best examples to suggest how music makes the scene better and leaves a long impact on the audience’s minds.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G): Family, Love, and Grand Emotions

The epic Bollywood movie and musical Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, directed by Karan Johar, focuses on family, love, and reunion. The music of K3G is composed by Jatin-Lalit, Sandesh Shandilya, and Aadesh Shrivastav. All the songs included in the film are classics that accentuate the movie’s theme and add emotion to it. Songs like “Bole Chudiyan” add to the emotional and festive part of the movie, which is why watching K3G is always special.

The music also contributes to the memorisation of important events or adding feelings to the movie. The film’s title song, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ has such a happy-looking tune while the lyrics of the song are actually very tragic, reflecting the theme of the movie – the tragic ups and downs that accompany the love of a family. Music enriches the movies by enhancing their dramatic meaning, and by doing so enhances the significance of the characters’ experiences. 

Conclusion: The Symphony of Storytelling

Music in film transcends mere background noise; it is a fundamental element that breathes life into the narrative, enhances emotional depth, and engraves scenes into the audience’s memory. Whether it’s the dreamlike melodies in La La Land, the culturally rich tunes in Coco, the emotionally resonant themes in Inside Out, or the iconic songs in Bollywood classics like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, music has the power to transform a film from a visual experience into a multisensory journey.

What stands out across these examples is how music supports the storytelling and becomes an integral character within the narrative. A well-crafted score or soundtrack can evoke emotions, from joy and excitement to tension and sorrow. It can make the audience’s connection to the story more profound. It can transform a scene, amplify the stakes, and provide a rich emotional subtext that dialogues alone may not convey.

In essence, the power of music in film lies in its ability to transcend the auditory realm and impact the visual and emotional experience of the audience. It’s a universal language that speaks directly to the heart, bridging cultural divides and touching on the core of human experience. Whether through a haunting melody, a triumphant song, or an intricate orchestral score, music in film creates an immersive and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Written by: Aashna Vidyarthi