These 4 moments make 'Opalite' one of Taylor Swift's best music videos
"Opalite" has some perspectives and scenes that make it feel more personal and special than some of Swift's other music videos.
Taylor Swift’s new music video for “Opalite” centers around two people who don’t know they’re searching for each other. Both were seemingly content to suffer through life with hard and prickly companions. That is, until Opalite spray changes everything. It’s a near-perfect music video, but maybe not for the reasons you think.
The video’s concept is deeper than it has any right to be. But beyond the storyline, it’s just fun, from start to finish. The cast was plucked from Swift’s appearance on the Graham Norton show. Was it fate or a coincidence? The wardrobe choices and set design for the video are also sights to behold. Malls and clothes from the 80s and 90s are truly capnit for Millennials. I’m sure there are lots of Easter Eggs for those with keen eyes.
It’s not any of the individual pieces that make this one of, if not the best, music videos that Swift has ever made. It succeeds more deeply because of its total package. The “Opalite” video is audio and video mashed into a feeling. It’s a cohesive montage that makes you feel the song in a more meaningful way. Once you’ve seen this video, it will be hard to ever hear the song without picturing it.
While it’s hard to pick out the scenes because they all mesh together so well, there are a few shots that stick out as the glue pieces. These are the ones that pull you in, crystallize everything about the scene, and make you feel like you’re there.
You can also check out the “Opalite” music video on Apple Music or Spotify.
The best shots of the “Opalite” video
There are two parts at the beginning of the video where Swift seems happy to have the rock friend and be with it. The first is on the swing. The rock falls off and she jumps off without a second thought to rescue it. That shot as she scrambles to pick it up is great.
The next part is when she’s sitting on the bed, making a friendship bracelet. She looks over at the rock and smiles. Without context, it’s a silly visual, but in the moment of the scene, it’s warm and comforting.
One of the most important moments in the whole video is subtle and quick. It’s when Domhnall Gleeson mouths, “Oh, I love this game,” and a smile creeps onto Swift’s face. That’s the turning point and the second you know these two people are right for each other.
Pick one of the poses from the photoshoot in the mall because any of them could be a highlight. The same is true for the final dance number. But, if the scene at the table is the most important to the video, then I think the best shot is when the two are coming down the escalator. They touch hands, and then you see Swift smile and look away.
It’s not easy to show some of these exact shots because computers will black out the content for copy protection when grabbing screenshots. Still, watch “Opalite” again with an eye for those moments throughout. It’s the attention to these small details that make this video truly great. “The Fate of Ophelia” is technically impressive. It’s a lot of fun. But “Opalite” is an ideal representation.
The other music videos
Over the years, I’ve come across a few other music videos that carry a similar quality. If you’re interested in some other music videos that capture exactly what the song intends you to feel, these are worth your time.