MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS, MARIAH CAREY - WE BELONG TOGETHER

The song belongs to the R&B and hip hop soul genres, and the music video tells a story that relates to the romantic lyrics. Carey's character is portrayed as a vulnerable and emotional woman struggling to move on from a failed marriage through the technical elements of the video. This portrayal is consistent with the song's dominant ideologies, which emphasize the importance of love, relationships, and the agony of heartbreak. The video shows her in a variety of settings, including a mansion and a diner, looking back about her former lover.

The main ideology presented in the video is that love is essential to human happiness, and that the pain of heartbreak is a natural consequence of love. The video also conveys the notion that the past is a significant motivator that can shape our present and future, and that memories of happier times can provide comfort in times of loneliness and despair.

Since Mariah Carey has a large following of fans who appreciate her powerful vocals, emotional delivery, and personal style, the target audience for "We Belong Together" is primarily young teen women and adult women. Fans of R&B and soul music will likely enjoy the song and music video, as it incorporates elements from these genres. Also, for viewers who like ormantic settings and love stories might feel emotional and attracted by the complex love narrative story.

In addition to Mariah Carey's core fan base, the music video for "We Belong Together" may appeal to those who have experienced heartbreak and are looking for an emotional outlet; as a result, the lyrics and music video may empathize the audience. The video's nostalgic atmosphere and emphasis on happier times may also appeal to viewers seeking security and comfort. Finally, viewers interested in popular culture and music videos as a form of visual storytelling may find the music video for "We Belong Together" appealing.

The camera movements, shots, and angles in the video are designed to emphasize Mariah Carey's emotions and expressions. The video features many close-up shots of her face, often with tears in her eyes, to convey her sadness and heartbreak. This might adress her regrets of being unloyal, and remorse of being happy from what she did to her husband with her lover. These close up shots are really commom in R&B music videos, as it captures fully how she is feeling at that time and also her beauty.

The use of long shots and extreme long shots in the music video contrasts with the close up shots, as they capture Carey's sensuality and the seductive clothing she is wearing. These shots emphasize her physical beauty and draw attention to her curves and skin.

Furthermore, the fact that she is shown sleeping on a bed in these shots may foreshadow that she is cheating on her husband. This adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, as it suggests that her outward appearance of success and happiness may be masking deeper issues in her personal life.

However, it is important to note that the use of these shots may also perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women and their sexuality, such as the idea that women who dress in revealing clothing are promiscuous or immoral. It is crucial to approach such shots with sensitivity and awareness of their potential impact on viewers.

Additionally, the use of slow-motion in some scenes is intended to create a dream-like quality, further highlighting the protagonist's emotional state. The editing transitions and special effects in the video are used to convey the passage of time and the protagonist's emotional state. For example, the video opens with a flashback scene of Carey and her love interest in happier times, which is contrasted with present-day scenes of Carey alone, heartbroken, and reminiscing.

The use of black and white imagery in some scenes is also intended to create a nostalgic, melancholic effect. These flashbaks also represent how her and her lover met the first time at a party. Continuous editing is employed to tell cronollogically the development of her feelings and the story, this enhaces the effect of storytellinf and shares the message succesfully with the target audience.

The mise-en-scene in the video, including color, costume, props, and location, is designed to reinforce the Carey's emotional state and the dominant ideologies of the song. For example, the use of soft lighting and muted colors in some scenes is intended to create a nostalgic atmosphere. Carey is also often seen wearing elegant and glamorous outfits, which contrast with her lonely and desolate surroundings. In the secene where she is getting ready for the wedding, she is wearing a tone of pearl jewellery and surround by a large luxiriuous bedroom which adress her social status. The fact that her husband is rich and her lover has a urban and rebelious image, is a common reference of 80s and 90s romance movies that implies that love is versatile. Then, the location of the video is primarily in a deserted mansion, which reinforces the sense of isolation and loneliness that Carey is feeling, and at the end of the video she feels hapinesses as she ditches the wedding and her husband to be with her lover.

The shots that introduces Care's lover, foresahows what is going to happen next.

The intertextual references in the video are limited, although there is a brief reference to the classic film "The Graduate" in one scene where Carey is seen running frantically through the streets, reminiscent of the film's famous final scene. There are no binary oppositions in the video that are readily apparent, although there is a sense of contrast between Carey's glamorous appearance and her desolate surroundings, which could be interpreted as a contrast between material wealth and emotional fulfillment.

The bird's-eye view shot in the music video showcases the wedding ceremony and the Carey's beautiful bride dress. This scene highlights the grandeur of the event and emphasizes her wealth and social status. The location of the wedding further reinforces this message and adds to the overall aesthetics of the music video.

While this shot may initially seem to represent the character's power and success, it can also be interpreted as objectifying her. The use of a bird's-eye view shot can make the character appear small and vulnerable, while also emphasizing her status as a bride. This can create a conflicting message, as the character's success and status are highlighted, but at the same time, she is portrayed as a weak object.This portrayal can be problematic, as it can reinforce harmful gender stereotypes and reduce the character to a mere object of beauty and status. While the use of this shot can add to the visual appeal of the music video, it is important to consider the messages it conveys and the potential impact on the audience.

In the music video, the shots of Carey crying suggest that even when someone appears happy and successful, they may still be struggling with emotional issues. These scenes add depth and complexity to the character, and show that there is more to her than just her exterior appearance.

Despite the emotional intensity of these scenes, Carey still looks flawless while crying. This is a common technique used in R&B music videos, where female artists are often portrayed as strong and feminine, even when they are vulnerable. This portrayal can be empowering, as it challenges traditional gender norms and stereotypes, but it can also be limiting, as it may preserve unrealistic beauty standards and place undue pressure on women to maintain a certain appearance.