Review: Coldplay’s “Vida la Vida” Music Video

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

This video, which debuted in 2008 and was directed by Hype Williams, is in my opinion, one of the most interesting and original videos I have seen. This is due in part to the outgoing and personable nature of Chris Martin, the band's lead singer, as well as the unique style of Hype Williams.

The film is a very simple concept, with the band “performing” in front of a textured, highly filtered and stretched backdrop of their album’s cover artwork.  The video contains several interesting and beautiful sequences and is as much a work of art as their album cover painting by Eugène Delacroix. The opening shot of a blooming rose is quite brilliant in its simplicity and is perhaps a metaphor to the “blooming” nature of the band, representing their rise to prominence and the eventual perfection of their art.  Another scene I am particularly fond of is about thirty seconds into the video when the guitarist, Johnny Buckland, is seen playing his guitar. No detail is spared in this simple scene, as the outline of the guitar is highlighted with white neon lines and the theme of the letter “V” is emphasized on the body of the guitar. I am also especially fond of the last shots in the film where the band appears to be transforming into rose petals and drifting away with the wind as they stand with their instruments.

Overall, I emphasize that this video would not have been the same without the superb performance of the band members themselves and without Hype Williams’ brilliant direction and eye for beauty. Nearly three years later, this is still one of the best music videos I have seen and it truly takes the concept of film as a medium of art to the next level. 

Johnny G