The video for Rihanna's Stay has dropped, and once again the Diva surprises.
If I told you that the visuals consisted solely of Rihanna ruminating in a bath tub, I think you wouldn't be too surprised. Most would think it was only a matter of time before she got it all out on film. But as trashy as the concept sounds, the reality is her actual nakedness is the last thing you focus on; it's the emotional nudity that captures, and holds, the attention.
Director Sophie Muller should be praised for the risk she took trusting a pop star could deliver on such a simple concept. But equally, Rihanna should be acknowledged for the subtle and nuanced performance she gives- one many a professional actor would have had trouble serving up. It's what makes the whole thing work so successfully, and what stops it from just being a video of Rihanna having a soak after a long day dutty wining.
Colour me suitably impressed!
EDIT: The legit video has hit and frankly I'm disappointed. The emotion that made the leaked video so startling has been diluted, and dare I say lost, by too many cuts and angles. Including them has also taken away the risk that a video just consisting of Rihanna in a bath tub brought, making it nothing more than a standard, albeit average, music video in the process.
However, my biggest gripe is the use of shots and scenes designed to titillate viewers- something the original video showed was totally unnecessary. Not only do they cheapen the whole video, but they distract from the emotion of the beautiful song.
Would my reaction have been different if I hadn't had the chance to see the leaked footage? Maybe, because I wouldn't have seen how capable Rihanna was of selling a video without relying on her body. But since I have, I can't help but be disillusioned that others aren't going to get the chance to see this too.
