ONLY YOU (1994) - Rachel Portman - Soundtrack Score Suite

Pure romantic fluff, the kind that graced plenty of films in the Golden and Silver Ages of Hollywood, was becoming scarce by the 1990's. The 1994 fantasy-bordering romance Only You was director Norman Jewison's attempt to resurrect the funny, illogical aspects from his 1987 hit Moonstruck and place them in lovable Italian settings. Jewison pulls several elements from the Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck classic Roman Holiday as well, including an imitation of the famous "Mouth of Truth" scene and an obvious late 80's version of Hepburn's dramatic features and short hair on actress Marisa Tomei. If you couldn't buy into the flighty and predictable plot, then the film's other major detractor, Robert Downey Jr. as a leading romantic man, would tarnish the starlit magic. Otherwise, the unashamed affection for hopeless romanticism is perfectly captured and perpetuated in the film by composer Rachel Portman, who had received this assignment due to the strength of the more dramatic early entries in her budding career. Having only begun to introduce her lush, orchestral romance style to the industry, it would be Only You that would propel Portman on to such projects as Addicted to Love, The Cider House Rules, and The Legend of Bagger Vance. Despite the film's failure to meet expectations and the brevity of the score's length due to a plethora of romantic, mostly Italian source songs in the production, Portman's simple work for Only You would cause an international stir. The lush portions of her work would be re-used for everything from mass wedding ceremonies to national beauty pageant competitions, creating a sound for the composer with which she would be forever identified. The score is the most eloquent example of Portman's mastery at using large (or potentially overdubbed) string sections of orchestras to portray faith, hope, romance, and, ultimately, happiness. Whether or not Portman's style is something you find listenable might depend on how much of a hopeless romantic you are at heart, but nevertheless, Only You epitomizes the style of Portman's music that earned her Academy Award recognition and sustained her immense popularity for about a six-year period.
The soundscape in the score is very well balanced, further extending the appeal of the striking part of the score: the title love theme. Four full statements of this theme exist in Only You, including "Venice," "Positano," and the two finale cues, and these are the recordings that are pulled for usage for television spots and live events. The depth and sheer magnitude of the orchestra's performance of this theme, as simple as its construct may be, marks a milestone in the history of romantic film scores that will not be quickly forgotten. The brass section performs broad whole notes to accentuate the bass region in Barry fashion. Full-blown romance of this kind was a rarity in the 1990's, and this theme's performances would serve as a bridge in the 1990's between the mass of similarly conceived music by Georges Delerue in the previous decade and a score like Angel by Philippe Rombi in the 2000's. Sony's album for Only You features only a tad over twenty minutes of Portman's music, but every essential moment is provided. The collection of Italian romance standards is quite strong, though the more general sounds of Louis Armstrong and Michael Bolton bookending the album will likely be of greater appeal to mainstream listeners. The collection is considerably better than most song collections you hear on albums from the digital era. In the end, it was Only You that caused so many people to become fans of Rachel Portman's unique and delicate style. While her output in subsequent years gained her an Oscar and a major presence in Hollywood, even from her modest scoring abode in Great Britain, her majestic theme for Only You still stands as her crowning achievement.
(www.filmtracks.com/titles/only...)

[@TheycallmeboriS]

My favorite soundtrack, my favorite country, my favorite actor, my favorite actress, my perfect movie:)

[@jackelinesibilio1323]

I watched this movie approximately fifteen years ago, and then, just one month before my trip to Italy, I revisited it. I played its soundtrack during my journey to Positano, with the breathtaking ocean views unfolding. It felt as though I were soaring through the skies. Tears stream down my face as I listen to the same soundtrack, evoking the vivid memory of that unforgettable moment.

[@lilbandit101]

One of those perfect films. Perfect cast, perfect scenery and a lovely story. I've been lucky enough to visit Venice, the Amalfi coast and Positano, all simply stunning. Thanks for posting.

[@leaflores8677]

My favorite Soundtrack! Una hermosa película, me enamoré de ella ❤

[@team_sandrabelle877]

I can listen to this over and over again. So nostalgic and makes me miss movies like this!

[@deborasax4074]

I love this movie and perfect Music 😍2021 i'm here dancing 😍

[@lyraitaly]

Es la pelicula mas bella que he visto en mi vida y mi favorita por exelencia,. muy buen reparto Marisa tomei y Robert Downey jr. , preciosos paisajes y por su puesto en lo particular pienso que una obra maestra de Rachel Portman en fin inolvidable.

[@babyjackson7973]

Adoro esta película

[@tonydequintal9440]

This movie inspired my sister and me a few years later to visit Positano And the amazingly beautiful Amalfi Coast

[@tigerlilly5434]

This is my favorite movie, simply love it, the soundtrack and the landscapes, mean everything.

[@lenyizsu1]

I REALLY FOUND THE TRUE LOVE BECAUSE I HAVE WATCHED THIS FILM MANY TIMES...

[@user-gustavo128]

Hermosa melodía.. HERMOSA ITALIA

[@BruceSullivan5]

This has to be one of Rachel's most Romantic scores She's a gift to Hollywood .

[@kitttykodama]

Aww brings back my childhood memories of this movie. If only love really worked like that

[@lmntechnics9992]

cant help but love robert downey jr in this movie.not forgeting marisa tomei. ITS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MOVIES.

[@diehardtwihard23]

this is one of my all time favorite movies! its so romantic and it makes u believe in destiny even living in a society where the notion may seem unreal and out dated

[@taroman7100]

nicely put!

[@SmileItRainsInRohan]

sincere bliss.....effortlessly goes beyond meanings lol...its as if the fluidity in the score of this fillm has no bounds or any hestitaion to take you to the edges of every possibility :) haha, I literally adore aodre love and love this movie and this soundtrack-rachel portman is an extreme talent and the only one of her kind

[@olikrisz]

Still one of my favourites!! So good actors, beautiful places, wonderful music!

[@user-go2pp3cc9q]

wonderful

[@ndjokovic7]

Amo esa pelicula es tan romantica

[@helenzumaran4609]

Preciosa pelicula, siempre la recuerdo, gran interpretacion...

[@lararesende7499]

Que filme perfeito! E essa música então! Já estou chorando de tão linda!

[@lindagiovannazambanini6218]

My favorite soundtrack! Also one of my favorite American films. Thanks!

[@1sovereignty]

When I first heard this awesome soundtrack it had hallmarks of John Barry. LOVE IT !

[@taroman7100]

yes, it does!

[@debbabe2254]

Barry and Portman are masters of string compositions. 🎻🎻

[@steviem8117]

DAMIEN BRADLEY?!?! I used to rent this movie all the time as a pre-teen little girl - loved the gypsy fortune teller at the beginning and the B storyline between Bonnie Hunt and her husband who finally showed up for her, it's so cute and sweet and of course the sweet sugary ending - airlines won't abide by that crap anymore lol... even for LOVE! ❤️ Corny, but I still have good vibes from this movie. The music obviously left a mark on me too.

[@Izaizabel2006]

Lindaaaaaa ❤

[@gdon12987]

Love the music from 2 mins 20 secs, and it fits so well with the romance of the airport scenes!

[@vivanaanil2283]

Soo beautiful

[@alscudiero8065]

I have loved Rachel Portman for years, everything from Cider House Rules to Pinocchio, and of course Emma. Her score for this film came out of nowhere. I heard it on Cinemix.us and then found this You Tube suite and have been listening to it for the last three years. Her work is so timeless and breathtaking to me, that I finally bought the DVD dirt cheap from Amazon a couple of weeks ago to watch for the first time.. It's a sweet and silly fantasy with beautiful people in a beautiful country. :)

[@sherrykreminski4771]

Would love to visit Italy 🇮🇹 this is on my bucket list of places to go see as well as Greece 🇬🇷

[@orpheus6767]

Ι am from Crete - Greece...My island is wonderful, but I love also Italy...!! The people, the music, the places...This film is my favourit...!!! ITALIA ti amo..❤❤

[@indragil7994]

La mejor película que he vistooii

[@donedu3198]

Thank you 1000x for this video...

[@ClassicCult]

awesome sample for an electro banger.

[@zaranine]

wonderful melody at 9 min

[@jeridani]

Schnurpselbacke1, you made my day with this:D Thank you so much! I'm still waiting for my brother to send me the original Only you soundtrack from USA.

[@meralsahin5629]

Özledikçe izliyorum. Film müziklerini de çok seviyorum.💞

[@missflipz]

Sooo romantic...

[@bettyannsimnovec7588]

Rob... There has only been you.... You have been my love since I saw you in grade five...... When I looked into your eyes, saw your smile, saw your body and I heard your voice...I knew that I would be lost forever..... We lost touch and when I was invited to your party..I was scared....to this day I have regrets as we could have been husband and wife...me having your children.... You showing me the art of love..... Together we would make our dreams a reality.... Together.... 💜💜🥰💜💜

[@Caligirl96]

I love love love the movie

[@KALOGERAS1984]

MAYBE ONE OF THE MOST BEST MOVIES EVER WRITTEN AND PLAYED ...

[@dabreu]

The end is a joke on the Italian Movie called Dio come te amo.

[@supermich2000]

one enchanted evening

[@akawhippy]

From 7:35 and forward it starts to sound sad and melancholic.

[@Schnurpselbacke1]

I'd rather call it deeply romantic, full of honest love and passion. :)

[@dkh6139]

I think it also majestic as sunrise and sunset

[@MassimoMastronardo]

Marisa Tomei è di origine italiana precisamente della città di Messina. Sua nonna era messinese e si chiamava Maria D'Ignoti.

[@TayGuy]

Same way I heard it.

[@gabeinaustin]

Heard this in Southpaw (2015)

[@hayleylouise3850]

Does anybody know if they added the music that played when Giovanni took Faith and Kate to the hotel to the OST? the same music played when Giovanni and Kate were sitting and talking on the rooftop

[@moneibagc]

dios ame esta pleicula....

[@MerchantIvoryfilms]

Dose someone know the name of the song played by the man with the saxophone and the Oprah singer while there dancing? The film version that is.

[@jesuslovesyou5384]

My italian babe is mine

[@zaranine]

HOW??????

[@akawhippy]

I find this song more sad and melancholic rather than romantic or cheerful T_T

[@darkeyes1213]

I m hurting my mother is living one A.V. C. She s in bed 7 month