Mr. Destiny

by Jason AnkenyWith Mr. Destiny, David Newman eschews his trademark comedic approach in favor of something more personal and substantial, but the score's orchestral approach proves far too tepid to succeed. Newman zeroes in on the film's mystical overtones, writing self-conscious melodies that aspire to capturing the mystery and grace of everyday life--the problem is that much of Mr. Destiny evokes only the mundanity of human existence thanks to its trite symphonic arrangements and ho-hum minor-key sequences. Just because Newman was inspired to attempt something new doesn't mean this music is anything but uninspired.