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First, the Recap:
In a moment, what can happen? Well, a lot, all dependent on the situation at hand, those involved, and the hand of fate some might say. When we encounter those times that require US to make a decision that will hence dictate an outcome, will it be the one we DESIRE–or fall short when hesitancy turns to missed opportunity? The aftermath, either way, will be one that impacts us going forward, lessons learned for better or worse.
On an undisclosed coastline, it is the beauty of Summer, and a young woman (Yimiko) finds herself caught up in everything the beachside has to offer, including the young man (Lou Mergen) who’s capturing her attention. Yet, as their initial connection seems to be leading towards more, it soon becomes evident that the situation may not end up as she, and perhaps he, would have wished, even as the ocean’s pulse and an atmosphere of longing lingers in the breeze.
Next, my Mind:
Music video will often be equated to, for the most part anyway, a medium for an artist to showcase themselves and the new music being offered by them. As such, the imagery itself tends to more focused ON the artist or band and that’s that. However, there are also the instances where said video can instead present something more cinematic in nature, truly attempting to TELL a story the given song is about in order to create the appropriate sense of connection with it the artist intends. In the case of the new song and accompanying video/short film for “Beach Boy”, arriving courtesy of indie music artist/film director Yixuan Wang (aka: Yimiko) along with producers Francis Han and Hsi Cheng, it is this latter approach that is utilized–and utilized very stylishly and effectively. Given the atmospheric nature of the lyrical content and the portrait of potential romance coming and going, what we witness rises above standard music video delivery.
While in itself a foundational thematic exploration we have seen and/or heard about a multitude of times before across both film and music, this three minute forty-seven seconds of breezy, quietly but purposefully, slowly pulsing, pop-infused wonder takes us as the viewer into the ebbs and flows of one woman’s yearning for that true love to arrive, feeling like she’s perhaps found it, but then watches it slip away with the backdrop of Summer’s sun-kissed ocean and sandy shores acting as the only real witnesses to it all. It is the simple, uncomplicated beauty of the visual and aural being intertwined to form this narrative we’re following, and it immediately grabs at your recollections (maybe, but I’m betting so!) of some type of similar experience we’ve had, entranced by what we absolutely want, yet too shy to fully pursue it even when mutual interest might just be simmering in those moments.
As the video and song seamlessly unfold and transform into the cohesive and affecting tapestry of entrancing, ethereal bliss that it does (hey, you know, I am a TOTAL romantic at heart, so this HITS home!), the wealth of offshoot thematic tangents come more and more into play. Transparently forging into unrequited (or shared?) longing, burning loneliness, youthful infatuations, a real seeking of enchanting/storybook love, being noticed yet hesitating to follow through, basic attraction, the thrill of the acknowledgement we glean from it, the dream of having a genuine relationship, and the ache of regrets in the wake of moments then passing is all showcased here, again both through the imagery and in the song’s lyrical content. Also, the way the elements of the seaside, especially the ocean itself, just go in tandem with the ambiance the song elicits, portraying both the vibrancy and the elusiveness/always moving forward aspect of what we’ve seen.
As I indicated earlier, the notion of a film being straightforward is NOT one to cringe back from, and I would assuredly state this also the case when it comes to the acting we see here as well. What we need is that fundamental level of character that befits the narrative (aka here, the song) well, and this is pulled off wonderfully and emotively first from Yimiko, who steps out from behind director’s chair and the microphone for her role as the young woman on the beach who is quickly enamored with a man she sees. Setting off on a flight of fancy and a fully earnest yet almost vulnerable journey to see if love might finally have found her, the woman trades the glances with him that seem to initiate their mutually shared adoration. Yet, even as she continues to long for him, the actuality of whether anything will come of it is in question, and the effortless beauty Yimiko possesses paired with her emotionally wistful vocals sells you on the story unquestionably.
Mergen gets to shine as the title character of the song, playing the quintessential young man here who would be the thing of many a woman’s dreams. Even as the man runs down to the shore, comes up from the water, and catches his admirer’s eye for the first time, there’s no doubts he’s both flattered by the attention and captured by her beauty as well. However, even as their little drama plays out, it soon becomes apparent that, feelings or not, everything may not close out for the two the way it appears. Mergen carries himself with confidence and charisma from start to finish, not having to say a word to get his presence across, which is a credit to the actor’s skills. I think it would be easy for some to try to dismiss both of these artists AS the “prototypical good-looking people”, but this critic honestly believes that the song here resonates with ALL of us in what it says about the human quest for that all-encompassing love we wish for, and some have.
So, in total, “Beach Boy” stands as a banner example of the intelligent and stirring union of short film and music video, with the visual facets conveyed in a manner that IS undeniably cinematic, casting its magical sense of sincerity in purpose and soaring vastness of lyricism into our ears and hearts, allowing us to experience our own search for what we DO all pine for–something that surpasses surface fancy and instead delves into something truly REAL, LASTING, and ABUNDANT in love. Now, all we have to do is NOT let it pass us by when it arrives.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
