MovieChat Forums > Four Last Songs (2007) Discussion > Strauss' Four Last Songs?

Strauss' Four Last Songs?

posted 18 years ago by glass_77
6 replies | jump to latest

Anyone think there is a relationship between the title of the movie and Strauss' Four Last Songs? Just curious...

The last film from the director is also about opera, so it could be. It would be anyway a good chance to make this fantastic music come to a broader audience. Btw, one of the four last songs was also in the hours soundtrack, meryl streep was playing "beim schlafengehen" at her home in one scene.

[–] dan_jones 18 years ago

I can tell you that the involvement of Strauss'music is not central to the film and features only lightly. The film is musically driven but involves the work of a fictional composer. Some may regard this as rather confusing. I'm surprised the film's working title has been kept.

[–] mac_alain 15 years ago

I'm surprised the film's working title has been kept.

So am I. In fact, the music of the Four Last Songs was the best part of this film.

[–] zoerpit 17 years ago

The same Strauss song you mention had earlier been used very conspicuously and effectively at two points in "The Year of Living Dangerously".

[–] rooprect 13 years ago

The title "Four Last Songs" was very appropriate if you're familiar with the works of Strauss. Strauss' four last songs, "Spring", "September", "Sleep" and "Sunset" (translated) deal with the ominous subject of death and impending calamity; however they handle the concept with calm, tranquility and closure.

There are 4 major plots of this film: the young girl coming of age (Spring), the mature couple Larry & his girlfriend dealing with their insecurities both romantically & occupationally (September), Dicky and his impending fate (Sleep), and the 'unfinished romance' between the dead composer, his wife & his muse (Sunset). While they are not literal adaptations of Strauss' work, their respective moods follow the music.

There is also the notion that the "Four Last Songs" were Strauss' swansongs, composed as he felt his approaching demise. In the movie, the concert is similarly Larry's swansong, for although he doesn't necessarily die, we get the feeling that this is the culmination of all his artistic efforts in life as he reaches the end of his career.

These are just my thoughts as both a fan of Strauss and this movie. The relationship between Strauss & the movie is not to be taken literally, but the themes and symbolism are very potent.

[–] sarajevo-2 12 years ago

I loved your interpretation, as I did the songs!