The clip first appeared last Thursday, but there is still controversy swirling over the content of the music video accompanying the #1 song in the country, Eminem's huge hit "Love the Way You Lie" featuring Rihanna. The clip essentially consists of actors Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan portraying a relationship prone to violence, but that also includes passionate lovemaking. Meanwhile Eminem and Rihanna both perform their vocal sections of the song onscreen. Entertainment Weekly posted one of the first responses in the press asking if the video portrays domestic violence responsibly. NPR's The Record complains about Rihanna, herself a victim of domestic violence, being relegated to the hook in the song. The Atlantic points to commentary from the National Organization for Women's (NOW) president Terry O'Neill who claims that because Rihanna's part is simply narrative in the song and not judging the situation, she is unwittingly glorifying it. Take a look at one of the most controversial music videos of the year below, and let us know. Does it handle the subject matter well or does it make domestic violence look glamorous?
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- Review of "Love the Way You Lie"
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Comments
As a survivor of domestic abuse, I love the video. Music is meant to capture and express emotions and the video definitely does justice to emotions involved in domestic abuse. There is no “responsible way” to portray it. The video is an honest depiction of what it looks like on the inside. As far as Rihanna’s part in the song and her past with domestic violence, I don’t agree that she’s glorifying it. It makes the hook more honest. That’s why she was chosen for the song. To express the honest emotion. The video is a masterpiece.
I agree, it really is beautiful and honest. Not everything has a happy ending and not everyone’s going to make the right choices and this video shows the truth even if it is hard to watch. When I watch it, I don’t see how it’s making abuse seem “glamorous” I just see the pain that the video is trying to convey.
I found it kind of disturbing. Particularly the fact the girl would start the violence, the guy would retaliate and then they’d make passionate love. To me it was making it seem like their turbulent, violent relationship was one of passion and not of the terrifying reality of domestic violence. If they’d portrayed the girl (or even the guy) being beaten and humiliated, the victims suffering as a result and them leaving their violent partner and moving on with life, then it would have had a more positive message. As it is, this just made it look like thy like it rough.
Whether you like the song personally or not, what kind of a message is it sending to young people? It’s one thing for people who already know about the dynamics of DV to debate, but what about teenagers in violent dating relationships? The video essentially says, getting angry and hitting is okay if the sex makes up for it.
Great points by all but I have to disagree with Laura. In many cases of domestic violence the same passion that feeds the dysfunction and violence is mixed with the passion and supposed love they feel for that individual.
For example, many people can relate to a nasty break up with an old boyfriend or girlfriend. Just carry those emotions (typically somebody is still in love and doesn’t want the break up) and angers into a never ending cycle. So…we make up and try again!
While this video did use ‘pretty people’; don’t we all think we’re a ‘pretty couple’ when we’re in relationships?
Long and short, it seems pretty dang accurate to me and I have been going to assaults and homicides for way too many years. I could actually put faces and names to this video!
Use the video to talk to your teens? Have they seen the video? What did they get out of it? You know where I see the violence ever increasing- in the high school and college relationships and the date rapes.
I was disturbed the first time I saw it…and then I watched it again and listened to the words. It is still disturbing but on a different level.
I work for a woman’s shelter and I present on family violence and dating violence and I am trying to find this video without the swears. Like Stan said…it is a great opportunity to talk with young people about it…a great way to open up a conversation about dating violence…what do they think?
To me I liked the song alot…And I dont ever like Rihanna the song was beautiful and it amazed me…I strongly dis agree about its bad message for young people because its teaching you the true facts of life so face it…at least the song is telling the YOUNG PEOPLE a lie thats all I got to say…