It's been a while since I was last able to sit in front of a music video, watch it and come away feeling utterly stunned. I remember that Green Day's 'When September Ends' video moved me, and once upon an eon ago I can drudge up memories of feeling a surprisingly girlish thrill when my favorite boy-band – which will remain nameless (embarrassment is paramount at admitting this) – paraded across the screen dancing highly choreographed (and cheesy) moves and crooning into the camera. But stunned is a long way off from girlish giggling. My Chemical Romance's new video for I Don't Love You (directed and conceived by the wonderful Marc Webb) has been described as an art student's dream come alive, and in this case I would have to agree whole-heartedly. Every movement, every cut focusing on the characters that embody the song is deliberate and emotionally breathtaking to watch. The focus on the band is not nearly as intense, but it is equally as moving – especially the range of facial expressions displayed by front-man Gerard Way.
While some may argue that too much focus has been placed on Gerard and his highly emotional delivery, the viewer needs to understand that this (like the entire video) was deliberately done. The characters do not display any form of facial emotion – their pain is conveyed through the stains left on the girl’s skin and the slow inevitability of each gesture. In contrast, the facial expressions that Gerard goes through are over the top and more than a little exaggerated – perfect artistic contrast. The concept behind the video and the message conveyed by the song match perfectly, and are both staggeringly simple. Every time you love, you walk away stained by the one you have loved and who has loved you back. You begin to carry traces of them around within your very essence. The pain and courage in this song lies in the confession that your love has changed in depth and in emotional range – even if it threatens to shatter your very soul.
This video is utterly stunning – from the many highly photographic stills, to the intensely passionate yet passive portrayal of the characters, and even though I literally had to sit for a few moments after the last note faded in order to fully absorb what I had just seen, I must ultimately bow in the direction of My Chemical Romance and Marc Webb. Beautifully stunning and well done.
Review by Einat Brigler
and unfortunately, i have to agree with Mr. Brigler. D:
