The Movie

The Movie aims to be, for the most part, a record about romance. However, one quickly gets the sense that this is the kind of romance that has more to do with perfumed paper and boxes of candy than with intense emotions or erotic longing; the pretty melodies and elegant arrangements fall perfectly into place, but don’t really suggest anything beyond their own polished surface. “Alphabet City,” which sounds like a Rufus outtake, comes closest, unafraid to unleash the kind of pop-song bombast that the rest of the album shuns in favor of a more delicate sound. For the most part, though, these romantic ballads come across as uncomfortably detached (“Sugar in My Hair”), and the few efforts at pathos or wistfulness (“Cook for You”) fail to register. 

The Movie may be a well-executed and even enjoyable album, but it’s hardly exciting: the frilly surface is pleasant without being particularly engaging, the sort of thing that sounds good in the background but fails to stand up upon attentive listening.