14 DAY TRIAL // Much has been said about Enrique Iglesias and his music, but, when it comes down to making videos, few other performers know who to go to get the job done like he does, it has often been said. Enrique’s latest video, for his single “Takin’ Back My Love” has just been released and, suffice it to say, he and Ciara fare extremely well as lovers caught in a heated dispute.
Directed by Ray Kay, who also worked with Christina Aguillera on her “Us Against the World” video, Enrique’s “Takin’ Back My Love” starts off just like a film. To the fans’ pleasant surprise – since many other videos begin that way only to crumble to pieces minutes later – this one sticks to the structure of a film until the very end, it has been said. Of course, Enrique is still making his “I am in terrible pain” face that has made him a hit with the ladies, but the rest of the video more than makes up for it, just in case there are fans out there who don’t like it when he does that.
Focusing on the story of two lovers who get into a bitter argument over who cheated on who, the video has that specific, somewhat velvety characteristic that certain hip hop clips have. Shot almost in its entirety in delicate shades of blue, it shows the two lovers, Enrique and Ciara, respectively, throwing things and practically trashing the apartment they shared until not long ago, only to kiss at the end and realize that, come what may, they belong together.
In all fairness, it has been argued, despite the clear “I’m leaving you” message of the song, the video could not have ended any other way. Enrique, for one, is known for his image of incurable romantic, so just trashing the place and then walking out would have been too drastic a departure from that. However, both him and Ciara do their parts more than OK, and the chemistry they have in front of the camera is truly remarkable, it has been argued.
On a final note, before watching the video, keep your eyes open for the subtle irony Ray Kay has managed to squeeze in, as Enrique fans have noted: while Ciara throws away Enrique’s art pieces and all sorts of gadgets, he takes his revenge on her by breaking her dishes and spilling a carton of milk on the floor. Enjoy.