{$Dire Straits} leader {$Mark Knopfler}'s intricate, introspective fingerpicked guitar stylings make a perfect musical complement to the wistful tone of {$Bill Forsyth}'s comedy film, {#Local Hero}. This album was billed as a {$Knopfler} solo album rather than an original soundtrack album, with the notation "music...for the film." {$Knopfler} brings along {$Dire Straits} associates {$Alan Clark} (keyboards) and {$John Illsley} (bass), plus session aces like saxophonist {$Mike Brecker}, vibes player {$Mike Mainieri}, and drummers {$Steve Jordan} and {$Terry Williams}. The low-key music picks up traces of Scottish music, but most of it just sounds like {$Dire Straits} doing instrumentals, especially the recurring theme, one of {$Knopfler}'s more memorable melodies. {$Gerry Rafferty} (remember him from {&"Baker Street"}?) sings the one vocal selection, {&"That's the Way It Always Starts."} ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide