Roundtable: Sunshine on Leith
Sunshine on Leith tells the story of two soldiers, Ally and Davy, returning home to Edinburgh after a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The social aspects of "Sunshine on Leith" are mirrored perfectly by the film's soundtrack, which consists mainly of songs by “The Proclaimers.” Some of the principal themes that we can see being explored in the movie are community, relationships, social class and identity, and the songs play a huge role in telling the stories. For example, “I’m gonna be (500 miles)” highlights the relationships, communal, familial, and romantic, between the characters. The flash-mob scene in Edinburgh's Princess Street reflects the importance of community and support networks while the cut to the other two scenes offers a much more intimate perspective on the struggles of having a loved one far away from home and/or being the person who returned home and finding a community and identity after living through such a traumatic experience. Similarly, “Letter from America”, speaks to feelings of longing, home, belonging, and the comfort found in familiar places. It underlines the importance of their hometown as a source of not only instability and solitude but also solace and familiarity—ironically.
The established history of The Proclaimers' songs adds another layer of meaning to "Sunshine on Leith" for audiences familiar with the band's earlier work, but it can reframe the audience's understanding of the songs, which are delivered in a much less punchy/rock style than their original versions. For instance, "Sunshine on Leith," a song traditionally played at funerals, adds depth to the emotional impact of the film. It is not played during a particular important scene but it is often playing softly during a scene of reflection or longing for home. On the other hand, a song like "Letter from America," written about long-distance relationships in general, becomes more poignant when applied to the specific context of war and separation after Jean and Liz’s intimate conversation in the film.
The music that drives the score of "Sunshine on Leith'' can be classified as a combination of folk rock and pub rock. The latter is a genre associated with The Proclaimers' music, which forms the backbone of the film's soundtrack. It often features acoustic guitars, sing-along choruses, and lyrics that deal with issues of the social realm, working-class experiences, and everyday life, which are elements that perfectly capture the film’s essence and the social fabric of it. On the other hand, while the film might not have full-blown pub scenes, the pub rock elements we find in the songs add a sense of vibrancy and camaraderie to the story.
“Sunshine on Leith" redefines the film as a musical by adding songs that provide a sense of gritty realism, reflecting the character’s working-class lives and the challenges they face after coming back from war. Folk rock and pub rock often have a more raw and unpolished sound compared to traditional musical scores. This choice adds a sense of gritty realism to the film, reflecting the characters' working-class lives and the challenges they face. The familiar melodies and relatable lyrics create a sense of shared experience within the film but also the audience, and unlike some musicals where the music takes center stage, this film uses its folk rock and pub rock score to enhance the story and characters. The music isn't just entertainment; it's an integral part of the narrative.
Do you think this style of music accompanies the story bette than other genres would have? What defining elements of folk rock reveal themselves through the characters?
@theuncannyprofessoro
