@jeibypelegrinokiyakaka

2 years ago

Ophelia Meaning : The film opens with “Ophelia.” This is really one of the only parts of the film in which The Lumineers actually appear. It’s a way for them to introduce the ballad, with a song they hold close to their hearts. “Ophelia” deals with the success, expectations, and pressure the band has gone through since rising to fame, which is why this song means so much to them. I, I got a little paycheck You got big plans and you gotta move (whoo!) And I don’t feel nothing at all And you can’t feel nothing small “Ophelia” is a constant reminder for The Lumineers. It allows them to take a step back and appreciate all that has happened to them, and that’s exactly what the video depicts. The band is playing the song for a crowd when lead singer, Wesley Shultz, steps out of his own body and removes himself from the chaos of his current life; just as the meaning of the song depicts. He exits the building and begins to dance along the street to the beat of the music. The song continues as he pleasantly strides along. As the music of Ophelia fades out, transitional notes fall in, eventually leading Shultz into the taxicab, of one, Cleopatra. They share a conversation unheard to our ears, and thus, the story begins. Cleopatra Meaning Shultz exits the car and “Cleopatra” the song begins as Cleopatra, the driver, waits for her next passenger. The “Cleopatra” portion of the ballad follows the beautiful taxi driver with wild gray hair and eyes full of wisdom, through her shift. As she drives along the busy streets you are able to see that she is reminiscing. She is reminiscing on the “what ifs” that life inevitably brings you. It’s not so much about regret, as it is about thinking about the path you took in life, and realizing that for whatever reason, it was the path you needed to take. I was Cleopatra, I was young and an actress When you knelt by my mattress, and asked for my hand But I was sad you asked it, as I laid in a black dress With my father in a casket, I had no plans And I left the footprints, the mud stained on the carpet And it hardened like my heart did when you left town But I must admit it, that I would marry you in an instant Damn your wife, I’d be your mistress just to have you around Casts of characters enter in and out of the cab, some familiar and some not, some metaphorical and some literal. Each character has a different story, and each taken in by our seasoned Cleopatra. So I drive a taxi, and the traffic distracts me From the strangers in my backseat, they remind me of you But I was late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life And when I die alone, when I die alone, when I die I’ll be on time Eventually she turns the meter off, and picks up her adult son from the airport, who enters the front seat with a wide-eyed smile and a grand hug. They drive until dusk. They stop to enjoy burgers with full smiles and genuine laughs before night falls and she must take him to his father. The song comes to a close as she drops her son off to his father’s home, and that’s when the first “what if” of the ballad, a theme that reoccurs throughout, happens. Cleopatra imagines going in to make amends with the father so they can enjoy their son’s stay together, as a family. However, instead she turns around, gets in her car, and drives away. And the only gifts from my Lord were a birth and a divorce But I’ve read this script and the costume fits, so I’ll play my part She drives. Her face is sullen and soft. A smooth transition begins as Cleopatra transforms into a much younger version of herself, driving away from something else, with the same soft and sullen look upon her face. What comes next is the beginning for Cleopatra, the beginning of the “What Ifs.” Sleep on the Floor Meaning Peaceful piano track “Patience” plays as we see the youngest version of Cleopatra sad and transfixed, staring deeply into her boyfriend’s eyes, standing at her father’s funeral. As the keys of the piano put you at ease, everything moves in slow motion. The boy slowly approaches her and whispers, “If you don’t leave now you may never make it out.” With that, “Sleep On The Floor” begins, and Cleopatra imagines what could have been if she left with the love of her life on that very day. Pack yourself a toothbrush dear Pack yourself a favorite blouse Take a withdrawal slip Take all of your savings out ‘Cause if we don’t leave this town We might never make it out I was not born to drown Baby come on “Sleep On The Floor” takes us on a journey. The young and in love couple drive across the states. They wander in and out of dirty motels, they meet new people, and they find themselves free. Although they have nothing stable or secure – they have each other. And what we come to find, is that is quite literally all that they need. They eventually marry, happy as ever, and dance into the night. As they lay down to sleep on their wedding night “Sleep On The Floor” comes to a close. The young Cleopatra locks eyes with the camera before the scene shifts out of the “what if” scenario and into reality. She’s now back in her car, just as we saw her before the song began, with that soft and sullen look on her face. She looks in the rearview, only for a second, and then continues to drive on, always moving forward. Angela Meanign “Angela” begins with Cleopatra slightly older and pregnant. She’s in bed with her husband, safe and secure in a nice home. However, it’s easy to tell she does not want to be there. At this point in the ballad you know who the Cleopatra character is, or at least who she wants to be. She’s “taller than the rafters.” Life has gotten in the way of who she wanted to become, but that still doesn’t change who she is at her core. And so, as the guitar plucks of “Angela” continue, we see the older, pregnant Cleopatra leave her body, and begin to imagine what life would be like, if she left him when she wanted to. When you left this town, with your windows down And the wilderness inside Let the exits pass, all the tar and glass ‘Til the road and sky align The strangers in this town, They raise you up just to cut you down Oh Angela it’s a long time coming And your Volvo lights lit up green and white With the cities on the signs But you held your course to some distant war In the corners of your mind She’s back to driving, back where she always seems to be – on the open road, on her own, moving forward. But this time the look on her face is not soft or sullen. It’s determined. Determined to hold her course. She drives far and wide until she reaches a motel. She gets out of the car, looks to the sky, and for the first time in the ballad she expresses joy, celebration, and finally, peace. The “Angela” video takes us on the journey of the heart and soul that is the Cleopatra character – following your gut and your heart to its wits end. My Eyes MEaning “My Eyes” is the bow that ties the story of this legend together. She’s older now; older than she was when we first met her in the taxi. She’s in a nursing home, sharing stories with the nurse, and waiting for her time to end. Oh, the devil’s inside You opened the door You gave him a ride Too young to know, too old to admit That you couldn’t see how it ends What did you do to my eyes What did you sing to that lonely child Promised it all but you lied You better slow down baby soon It’s all or nothing to you Before it ends, we see Cleopatra shift out of her body one last time, to make the move we know she wants to make. She walks down the empty halls, out of the nursing home door, and into the abyss. “The Ballad Of Cleopatra” spreads the wisdom of this character onto those who view it. She shows you to be strong and to stay true to yourself. She shows you that you may not end up exactly where you thought you would. And she shows you that even if you don’t become who you thought you would be – it doesn’t matter, becuase in the end, the only thing that really matters in your life are the people you could never and would never want to life without. So choose those people, and hold on to them tight. I won’t be late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life And when I die alone, when I die alone, when I die I’ll be on time Cleopatra was also based from a real person. inspired by a real-life encounter with a much different woman. “Cleopatra” tells the life story of an elderly female taxi driver that guitarist and lead vocalist Wes Schultz met during a trip to the Republic of Georgia between Europe and Asia.

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