ithacaSinger/songwriter John Mellencamp has composed the score for Meg Ryan’s directorial debut Ithaca. He also wrote an original song for the coming-of-age drama, which stars Sam Shepard, Hamish Linklater and Alex Neustaedter, as well as Tom Hanks who appears in a small role. The World War II-set film is based on Pulitzer Prize winner William Saroyan’s 1943 novel The Human Comedy and follows a 14-year old bicycle messenger who is delivering telegrams from the Secretary of War and informing the families in their small town of the death of their loved one on the front lines. Erik Jendresen (Killing LincolnBand of Brothers) has written the screenplay and is also producing the project with Janet Brenner (The Last Five Years) and Laura Ivey. Hanks is among the movie’s executive producers for his Playtone production company. Mellencamp has previously scored his own 1992 feature Falling from Grace. He also performed an original song for the 2000 drama The Perfect Storm, which he co-wrote with composer James Horner. Ithaca premieres this week at the Middleburg Film Festival.  (Deadline)

  1. tvr says:

    He collaborated with James Horner on The Perfect Storm, singing the end credits song, let’s hope that he learned a bit with the late master.

  2. Justin Boggan says:

    I did a quick search online to see if I could find any further info’ on the score. I didn’t, but I found apparently he broke up with Meg for Christie Brinkley while doing this film. I guess we’ll find out if his score makes it to the opening of the film…

    According to IMDb, this is his second score.

  3. Factsnotfiction says:

    Wrong Justin. Meg Ryan ended their relationship before she actually shot this movie from June through August 2014. They reunited for a few months in late 2014, but she ended it again in March. Melloncamp only showed up with Brinkle 6months later.

    She never asked him to do this, but he offered it to her and she is grateful for it. All the music is in it, as evidenced by an article on Deadline.

  4. Justin Boggan says:

    I’m saying what I saw online. Further more, we don’t know for sure ,what with last-minute replacements, considering the movie hasn’t opened up yet:
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3501590/releaseinfo

    It’s not like a score hasn’t been replaced when an article was posted.

    Now, it’s very very likely the score will be in there, but so far I ahve not been wrong. I didn’t state anything as facts and the movie hasn’t opened. You might want to re-phrase your user name…

  5. susanbluesky says:

    just another flop

  6. Loretta says:

    Movie was sad but beautifully shot.soundtrack was really good.btw,my age is 62.if you’re very young I don’t think you’ll like this movie.

  7. Deb says:

    Well, I just watched Ithaca and Mellencamp’s music was in it and it was fabulous. Guess there’s a first time for everything…even being wrong.