In a day and age where the majority of music videos consist of someone standing there singing while random unqualified "video girls" shake their rear ends around them with some gratuitous "bling" to boot, it's nice to not only see a video that creative thought went into the concept, but also where a story is told. Granted, "Hurt" is the type of song that sort of demands a storyline for the video in order to do it justice. Even still, many young artists (who by the way, must pay for their own videos) would've just pulled a cop out and given us some cheap Three minute mess with velveeta cheese written all over it. Christina Aguilera gave us something a bit different.
Teaming up with innovative director Floria Sigismondi to co-direct with her (the same woman who directed "Fighter", Aguilera's best video to date), Aguilera created a heartbreaking tale with beaucoup imagery splashed right and left. Following the circus themed "Enter The Circus" and "Welcome" from her now gold album "Back to Basics", the video has elephants, tight rope, circus performers, tents, and more.
The video's biggest weakness is the sequence with Aguilera under the tent by herself, singing the song. It really serves no purpose and the video would've been nearly perfect without it. The hand movements are too much, her facial expressions are melodramatic, and it's just distracting from the story that's unfolding in the video. 
Many people have been ragging on Christina's acting in the video (particular the aforementioned sequence), and although I agree it is quite bad, I must come to the woman's defense a bit. Having to act without any words or action is probably the most difficult thing to do as an actor. Just sitting there in a room by yourself — and you must to emote with nothing but your face (and in this case hands). For someone who's actually an actor it's quite a feat but for someone with little or no experience it's nearly impossible to pull off successfully. But like I said...the entire sequence should've been cut from the video.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - David
Its not that her acting is bad...its actualy ok....even good. We saw that she can do comedy (SNL) and comedy is the hardest type of acting. Pay attention to her face and her movements....she is doing that 20's 30's style of acting...silent films...vaudvill (spelling?)...anyway just wanted to say that lol....love your review...love the video
2 - Raul
exactamente!! ella esta actuando al modo de esos años!! por eso la vemos con esas expresiones y movimientos...la cancion supera al video..
3 - tyty
i think christina outdid herself i mean without the video the song was amazing which is very rare nowadays i think the only other person that is really in her league right now is jojo and tht girl hasnt reached her potential but her album is amazing but anyway i think christina did a great job in the video she has an amazing voice i mean thts one white girl tht can sing her behind off i mean there are hardcore rappers giving her props i mean snoop dogg said tht she has probably the most amazing voice tht he has ever heard and he has been around for a while even nelly knows tht she rocks but yeah GO XTINA!!!
4 - dennis Tuwahan
First and foremost Chris Evans you are indeed an amazing critic. I always read your reviews and it is wonderful that you always suspend ur judgments first and you always back-it-up with facts! I salute you Chris!!!
As for the video Christina Aguilera presents to us her very narrative and powerful music video to date. The song is astounding and here comes the video which is definitely the best today. I mean Chris is right..."In a day and age where the majority of music videos consist of someone standing there singing while random unqualified "video girls" shake their rear ends around them with some gratuitous "bling" to boot, it's nice to not only see a video that creative thought went into the concept, but also where a story is toldIn a day and age where the majority of music videos consist of someone standing there singing while random unqualified "video girls" shake their rear ends around them with some gratuitous "bling" to boot, it's nice to not only see a video that creative thought went into the concept, but also where a story is told."
It's really nice to know that aside from Christina's amazing voice she is indeed an effective artist ( in her own way). True 2 what she says that she loves to explore new things for her to grow. Christina does not only proves that she can just grab that mic and belt but also excel in other fields. The video touched the chords of our hearts...I believe! And as well a s the song. Again like what Chris said..."...this year comes her Grammy time!"
5 - Christian
The acting isn't bad (and definitely not awe-worthy either), it's easy to see that the acting was stylized. Cool video.
6 - Eli
I totally agree that the scenes where she's in the tent alone bogged down the whole video. If those scenes were excluded it would be so much more effective, because there is really no point to 'em. But she put on a very good performance, I think she'd be a good actress.
7 - charley
Who is the man who plays her dad? is her very famous?
8 - guy
Christina it's very beautiful and i like this
9 - SHAQ
i abousolutly love this clip its vibrant really sets you in this era of the 19 ,20 early 30's i lov it lov it lov it. keep it up, ohh and what's this about her 'ACTING' ability i think its top notch and beautiful perfect 4 the song......
10 - Michelle
Christina is a pretty good actress..better than Britney's no good Crossroads,haha. i hate it when people always finds flaws in everything. ;) Christina is great in this video,it's a unique video...come on!enough with the whole hip-hop thing,it's so overrated! girls shaking like they're having a seizure,shaking their booty,geez,nobody wants to see that crap anymore,it's not even interesting to watch anymore... but this Hurt video is awesome! everybody could relate to it,and thanx Christina for reminding the world that there's still a true talent out there,and it's YOU!
11 - Neli
I love her! n her songs she juss different...and dats kool!
12 - samantha
i loveeeee the song!!!its beautiful!!it makes u fell tingelly inside!(lol)i hope she continues the good work.i love u cristina!!!!!
ur fan samantha
13 - Susan
i absolutely love this song and this video!! my new favortie. <3
14 - alisia
I think christina is great. she doesnt have to shake her arse all over the screen to be sexy she's just herself and i dont think that jojo will ever steal her crown she doesnt have the edge and as much talent she's too boring. Hip pop is boring its just the same sound in the background all the time dont get me wrong i used to love it more than enything but it sounds all the same now and the videos are all the same cars, bling and naked women. Keep it up aguilera carry on being the best!!
15 - Riccardo
Love the song, a song that touches my heart... and the video is in style of the song, better that 80% of the videos nowerdays. Greetings from The Netherlands
16 - kam
i LOVE this song,
it makes my cry everytime i see it
i don't know why
maybe it has to do with me and my dad and our relationship
good review
but the way she is acting goes with the 20s 30s 40s genre
the melodramatic type of acting
i liked it
stop criticizing the acting,
it's a good music video
17 - adrienne
omg! this vdeo is brill i just keep watchin it over n over agen. and eventhough iv only seen it like 6 or 7 times i kno all the words. who ever doesnt like chrisy after watchin this video they probrbly would.
18 - adrienne
n agen i just luv her. i asked my mum if she wud take me to a concert n she sed yh i cant wait!
19 - sonia
how is the name of the fathe r in the video? is so cute
20 - sonia
plis answer the question
21 - adrienne
sonia wats the fathers name? cos i wanna kno y its cute.
22 - tika14sheltown
christina has a amazing voice and i really mean because look at all the accomplishements shes completed. I think she expresses her self in her songs you know what im saying because i just look up to her, im even won a talent show from singging this song hurt , i just felt like it was the most perfect song. yu gurl tika.
23 - Dominique
I like Christian's voice. She can sing her butt off. I love all of her music. Keep on making good songs, and I'll keep on buying them.
24 - gloria trevi
xtina is a cocksucker whore, i wish she dies soon
25 - steffiee
this video is touching and gorgeous.
she was my favorite for so long.
and then when she disapeered to reinvent herself.
I forgot about that genre of music and moved on to rock.
This song makes me cry, its so unbelievably beautiful.
She is so talented.
and this song reminds me of my grandfather who died.
Thank you christina