Addicted to Love [Original Score]

by Jason AnkenyThe witty and charming Addicted to Love reaffirms Rachel Portman's place among the premier romantic comedy composers of her era. By turns starry-eyed and goofy, the soundtrack balances both components of the genre with consummate skill. Portman's lush symphonics conjure the spirit of classic Hollywood, but her wry, ironic melodies are wonderfully modern; both the main love theme and its accompanying chase theme crackle with wit and affection. TVT's official soundtrack release does poorly by Portman, whittling her score to 30 minutes to frontload the disc with a series of pop hits. That said, it's hard to complain when the extras include Serge Gainsbourg's carnal masterpiece "Je T'Aime...Moi Non Plus" and the Left Banke's "Walk Away Renee" which is, quite simply, the greatest song ever written on the subject of unrequited love.