Steamroller effect, at least in part. The contributions of Santaolalla, Navarrete and Desplat, whether or not one considers them deserving, may not have registered were they not attached to lionized projects. Consider as well that those composing worthwhile music in "their own back yard" are often hamstrung by association with farragos like The Black Dahlia or misunderstood and inexplicably reviled ventures such as Lady in the Water. (Then again, there's always Howard's surprise nod for The Village to throw a wrench into the works. A good wrench, that is.)
Bottom line: domestic or foreign (which is, after all, a rather limiting distinction to make in what should really be considered an international film community), quality work will out, and I believe your friend is generally correct. There simply wasn't that much to crow about last year on this side of the channel, and if it means tossing out, say, Marianelli's Pride & Prejudice in favor of some James Horner pablum, then please show me the door.
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