Customer Reviews

Natalie Merchant: Ophelia-Home Video [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

The video complement to Natalie Merchant's "Ophelia" takes a rich and well-produced album and reconceptualizes it. By portraying seven European and American women from different periods of the recent past, Merchant challenges her listeners to retrace the threads between each song in a way that very few artists have ever accomplished. Most impressive is Merchant's implication that all women share an innate "Ophelia," an often troubled-but-resilient part of one's personality. In terms of content, Merchant's lip-syncing of foreign languages and inclusion of "out-takes" and shots of the make-up room illustrate that she acknowledges the inherent pitfalls of trying to step into seven different pairs of shoes, which I think are minor obstacles that thankfully did not deter Merchant and directors Frank Woodward and Mark Seliger from completing this intelligent video.

After about the sixth viewing of this interesting video, I've fallen in love with it. If you're a fan of Natalie Merchant at all, you should really consider buying this. Miss Merchant's originality, cleverness, and talent are all shown off here. Along with the 22 minute short film, are five music videos. 2 from Ophelia and 3 from Tigerlily. The short film is very interesting. And as I watch it, I begin to realize what I think Miss Merchant wants us to get out of it. That in every person there are many different sides, many different personalities within.. It's a beautifully done, well directed piece of work. Natalie is charming and humorous. I highly recommend this.

"Ophelia" is a wonderously beautiful display vehicle for this artist's unfathomable talents. Using a word from her hit, "Carnival", I was mesmerized by the blending of her caricatures with the fluidity of her tantalizing voice. And then, she gives even more of herself, by including enchanting visuals to some of her older hits, including "Carnival", "Jealousy", "Break Your Heart" and "Kind and Generous". This video is worth the price of your soul!

Merchant has put together a fun, entertaining -- and yet thought-provoking -- companion to her "Ophelia" CD. Richly designed and lushly photographed, "Ophelia" the short film is a journey through seven or so different characters Merchant creates as she goes along. Sometimes she reveals herself as an able actor, sometimes not, but she is always poetic. That's the strength of the film -- Merchant adorns it with the same inspiring, emotive prose as her lyrics. Simply put, if you're a fan of her music, you'll like the video. I doubt Merchant is trying to win new fans with the video, and she probably won't, but she has created a great souvenir for her admirers; the four music videos ("Carnival," "Break Your Heart," "Jealousy," "Kind & Generous") alone are worth the price you'll pay.

Ophelia is probably the first record where Natalie Merchant is completely in control of everything. Her first solo album Tigerlily was good but it seemed as though Natalie was holding back. Now, on Ophelia, she completely lets loose and this video is a wonderful companion to the epic album. Natalie isn't exactly a capable actress and I hope she never gets further involved in acting, but the amount of passion and heart she put into this project makes you forget that she isn't an actress. Natalie is simply telling the story of Ophelia from another perspective and this video more than works. I have never been so fascinated with an artist like I have with Natalie. Her records don't soar to the top of the charts and she isn't on every magazine cover, but she shares with us what she does best, which is creating beautiful and inspiring music.

I thought she did a wonderful job on this video and captures a rare personalside to her.All I can say is that shes thebest and I cant wait for whatever is next

Natalie Merchant brings the characters on her CD to life on the "Ophelia" video. She is an extremely talented artist.

I think that Natalie Merchant's "Ophelia" video is very well done. Natalie looks stunning as all of the characters from the song "Ophelia." The photography is well done, and is very enjoyable to watch. If you're not a Natalie Merchant fan you probably wouldn't enjoy this video as much her fans would.

Natalie Merchant's Ophelia is a must have for the Merchant fan. It is thought-provoking and gives you an inside look at the enthusiasm and integrity of her music. Natalie puts her heart into this. She may not win any new fans over with this original piece of work, but it will be well admired by her fans. The videos of "Kind and Generous", "Break Your Heart", "Wonder", "Carnival", and "Jealousy" makes even the average fan want to go out and buy it...

I recomend this video to the average Natalie Merchant fan. I found it very good and I think you will too.