Kodaline - Perfect World analysis (chosen song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL8pbQBhwO0

The opening shot features a medium close up of one of the lovers in the narrative staring out of a window, the sun facing towards her. If considering the premise of the video, it could be implied that she is looking back at old times, light is usually associated with positive energy and happiness. She is reminiscent of this 'perfect' world in which her relationship was fully functioning.

There are several close up shots throughout the video, usually to highlight a significant object or person. In this shot, she is communicating with her boyfriend through text. This is reflective of modern culture and how people interact with the aid of technology.

The male character is followed through a tracking shot, his pace is fast; matching the beat of the verse and also suggesting that he is tense, agitated. We also see him communicating through his phone, we can confirm that the two characters are conversing with eachother. The expressions on the characters faces in previous shots tells us that there is an issue in their relationship.

When the chorus is played, there is another close up shot, however this is a flashback of when the couple were at their happiest, the blurred fairy lights in the background add the essence of romance to the shot. The flashback is played when the chorus is present in the video, the lyrics 'in a perfect world' are a match to the visuals because of the state of happiness the characters are in. This is embracing Andrew Goodwin's theory that there is a link between the lyrics and visual.

The next shot is a high angle shot of the male character, moving back to the present the angle of the camera suggests that the character is helpless and appears small. The cut between the past and present reinforces the duel narrative. The duel narrative enhances the contrast between the characters relationship then and now. 

Alot of the video features the motif of reflecting on the past, this is emphasized in this shot of the female looking at photographs that capture a better time in her life.

This shot established the exterior location as an urban and slightly run down area, this counteracts with the romantic forest like surroundings in the flashback.

The couple reconcile at the end of the video, restoring equilibrium. It highlights the overall positive tone of the song and video, and embraces the happy ending, much like the typical indie video.