Matchstick Men (2003) was an off-beat project from Ridley Scott after a series of intense, big-budget spectacles (Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Hannibal). Based on a novel by Eric Garcia, the script by Ted Griffin and Nicholas Griffin was a character study about con men (played by Nicholas Cage, Sam Rockwell and Alison Lohman) which, in Scott’s hands, became a comedy with dramatic elements.
Reuniting with Ridley Scott was composer Hans Zimmer, who had scored his previous three films—as well as 1991’s Thelma & Louise—and would go on to score several more. Zimmer, like Scott, sparked to the humor of the story and wrote a delightful, Nino Rota-flavored “Felliniesque” score. This lighthearted approach caused no end of drama behind the scenes, as the studio insisted upon a more serious tone. However, the film was released to critical acclaim, validating the filmmakers’ intentions.
Varèse Sarabande released a 22-track, 56-minute soundtrack of Matchstick Men at the time of the film, including several of the licensed songs that complement Zimmer’s music in the film. This Deluxe Edition is a 30-track, 79-minute program of solely Zimmer’s score (including additional cues by and with Geoff Zanelli, Jim Dooley and Bruce Fowler). The behind-the-scenes conflicts are documented in Kaya Savas’ new liner notes, including a Q-and-A interview with Zimmer that, like his music, never fails to entertain.