Analysis of Only Love Can Hurt Like This - Paloma Faith

Only Love Can Hurt Like This - Paloma Faith

Camera:
Many close up shots are used throughout this video as the song is very emotional therefore the close ups on Paloma Faith's face helps to project the inner emotions of the song. Whilst lip syncing she helps get the message across through her facial expressions which are predominately sad or concerned about the relationship.






Editing:
Throughout the video the majority of shots are slow pace and the length of each shot is mainly long. This also helps portray the theme of the emotions throughout the song as if fast pace shots were used it would give the feeling of happiness and the relationship being exciting so we can see in this video that the mood is the opposite and that there are problems in the relationship.

Mis-en-scene:

Pathetic fallacy is used in the video as it is raining in some of the scenes where she is stood singing, rain predominantly is used in unhappy scenarios and works much better in this video than a sunny day would have. The lighting in the video is used in a way that helps the narrative of the song. When the couple are in the sexual scenes which is suggested are there to represent the happier times of their relationship the lighting is very bright and warm which shows us their love for each other. However when it then cuts to the scene of them arguing and fighting the lighting is much colder and has blue tints to the colouration which in contrast show how bitter the relationship has become and that there isn't much love there anymore. In the video the female character is seen undressing a lot or in her underwear which connotes her inner vulnerability towards the male character and within herself. In some scenes of them being happy the location they're in looks quite nice and modern however in the scenes of them arguing or her singing the house starts to look quite derelict at times which shows that their relationship is slowly falling apart like the building around them. The colours used are mainly blues, especially with her outfit as she wears blue underwear and a blue dressing gown which shows her unhappy state and that she's becoming cold to the relationship. The climax of the video comes when she falls into the water which represents her as finally reaching the end of all she can take and she's finally drowning in her emotions meaning she cannot continue the relationship with him.

Sound:
Prior to the climatic scene in the water the music cuts out which adds to the dramatic feeling of this scene as this shows the peak of the relationship and her emotions getting too much.

Representation:
In the video, the male character is portrayed as not having much emotion towards her. In basically all of the scenes the females facial expressions change to show us how she's feeling however he doesn't show any different facial expressions, this may indicate that he doesn't feel the same about her anymore. The female character is represented as being very emotional about the relationship, this is due to her facial expressions and actions throughout, for example when she pushes him away and when she's signing in the rain.