This is the kind of film soundtrack music video I love to see where the song performers recreate ideas from the movie where it's played. They
don't make more of those clips. The case in question is the power ballad "Separate Lives" performed by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin, one of the
two themes from Taylor Hackford's "White Nights", being the main theme the one sung by Lionel Richie "Say You, Say Me", Oscar winning song with a
video of its own. Hackford and Collins aren't strangers from each others as they previously collaborared with the music video for "Against All Odds",
another great triumph for both but here it's where things reach a higher level (though this clip was directed by James Yukich, a regular Collins
director).
The duet takes place inside a similar studio where the characters played by Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshinkov are stationed in Siberia,
but here instead of the memorable choreographies from the dancers/actors, Collins and Martin sing by the piano, evoking all the memories of a love
that seemed so far gone yet so close to the memory, which combines with the love dynamics coming from the actors characters with their on-screen
lovers (played by Isabella Rossellini and Helen Mirren). It took some time for this song conquer my heart (as I don't like the way it is played on
the film, coming from a tape), but once it got me, it remained as an all-time favorite ballad. And seeing this music video was really special,
bringing back many memories from a very special movie.
Why I have some special care for soundtrack videos when they go a next level besides just sharing clips from the film being promoted? To see how
original and fun the idea can work for the musical performers and for us in the audience. It's a wide exposition of elements, song, soundtrack, a
couple of dialogues from the film and clips as well, which works a lot better than just showing snippets between a group/artist performing the song and/or
the clips. And this one of the first to enhance the idea of what a soundtrack video should be, just like the spectacular "A View to a Kill" for Duran
Duran, where the band "interact" with James Bond on a mission at the Eiffel Tower. Amazing not only in their categories but as a whole. 10/10.
