This video is built upon the very simple premise of ‘pretty
rich woman goes mental whilst trying to retain her dignity’. It’s one bound for
success; how many network dramas show us rich people’s lives falling apart? We
love to see behind the oh-so-perfect mask. That’s exactly what this video does,
and is some of Miranda’s best work. From the 60s beehive hairdo and eyeliner
flick, to the well-to-do Southern housewife outfits, you could mistake this
video for being about high society, if you didn’t already know the content of
the song.
However, interspersed with the nature of glamour and
fabulous are the snappy shots of a heartbreak as a make-up smudged, messed-up
hair, snarling Miranda enacts the lyrics as they appear in the song. We watch
the transformation of her into a sexy lace basque and trying to keep it
together while she necks whiskey in her pristine bedroom. In addition, from the
second verse onwards we have shots of Miranda lying in a bath (more gorgeous
clothes) and smoking, as well as a dinnertable scene, stabbing her food to
death with a hysterical crazy expression on her face. The gusto she puts into
the emotion and crazy-woman anger of the whole video is fantastic, and her best
acting on screen to date. The editing is also flawless, with plenty of quick
shots that match the rhythm of the song, showing you the schizophrenic nature
of this character, and the differences between what she is attempting to
project to the world, and what she is feeling inside. It’s an interesting
character study apart from anything else, and gives us a juicy reminder that
those perfect rich people we so envy, are, somewhat satisfyingly, going insane
inside their little world (maybe that’s just me loving that?).
I feel like perhaps we could have got some shots of her
venturing outside the house after she’s quite drunk, going to the grocery store
and attempting to hide her less-than-appealing state. I think that would have
been even more amusing. I also think they could have tried to go one step
further when it came to Miranda’s character’s emotional demise, for example
throwing things, breaking things, setting things on fire (of course!).
Otherwise the video is great, it’s something quite different but also something
I’m sure will appeal to many people, playing on the humor factor and allowing
people who relate to the song (that’s more people than you might think) to see
something of themselves in a country music video. Because I feel this kind of
intense emotion is lacking somewhat from the airwaves and the TV channels, and
Miranda is naturally the one to put it across flawlessly. Ain’t no-one got more
attitude than her!
Interesting to note after some negative attacks on Miranda’s
appearance on social media during the Grammys, the beauty and glamor shots that
are still retained despite her self-destruction, and wow, she looks fantastic.
Just a side note, but big up to the curvy girls! I’m not sure Miranda selling
herself on a level of sex appeal was needed for the context of the video, but
perhaps it was an ‘eff you’ to the haters, and I fully support her on that.
Miranda’s had a lot of good videos, and I think she should
make them more often, because just like this one, they’re always insightful, funny,
and just a damn good video. Roll on the next one.
You can watch the video here:
Posted by Vickye (Guest Writer).
If you want to check out my own blog
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