Richard Marx: Hazard (Music Video 1992) Poster

(1992 Music Video)

User Reviews

Review this title
3 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
8/10
No Escape
refinedsugar28 April 2023
I'm not clear on when IMDb started listing music videos, but it makes sense. They're short, but feature much of the same elements as film & TV. The music industry saw them as another avenue for marketing. To promote artists and sell albums, but they're an entertaining medium unto themselves.

'Hazard' from Richard Marx is not only a good 'story' song, but made for a great music video allowing for further detail. To this day people on websites and message boards still discuss the potential meaning and who the killer is. There are many points left up to interpretation.

  • The boy's relationship to his parents. Did his mom have an affair? Is that why his father left or did he simply abandon them?


  • Did the boy burn down the family house killing his mother? Is that partly why the townsfolk label / mistreat him?


  • What exactly is his relationship with Mary (Renee Parent)? Did she cheat on him?


  • The scarf (figuratively and literally).


  • The correlation between Mary & his mother. Their similar appearances.


  • The symbolism of the river. Marx's hair cutting. More symbolism when his trailer is burnt down by the townsfolk.


  • Why is the sheriff (Robert Conrad) taking so much interest? What do we make of him following in his car? The photos?


If you discount Marx, the sheriff or another lover of Mary as being the murderer - the theories become wilder. I've read people thinking his mother set him up. Others believe Mary might have committed suicide solo or as part of a pact with Marx to "escape this town". There's even a second version of this video available with different dialogue that supports this suicide idea.

I see things much simpler, but I'm still torn. Either he's damaged and a killer or life has continued to give him a raw deal.

A very sombre song that Richard Marx publicly stated he didn't think would become successful but ended up being very popular. Striking a chord with many people including me. There's obviously some hurt and betrayal beneath the words & imagery beyond possible murder. A fine song from Marx's 1991 album 'Rush Street' and a very fine video.
5 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
Who killed Mary? The world may never know
catfanatic8885 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This song stays with you long after it's over. There are actually TWO videos for it. The first one is the official video. The second one is Chapter Two. Both are dark and unsettling with the death of Mary. Was she murdered or was it suicide? Richard's character is the town pariah after he may have killed his mother as a child. It's set in a gothic looking small town. The townspeople burn down Richard's trailer home near the end. So here's how I see it for the possible suspects in Mary's death. Just my opinion.

1. Richard's character

2. The sheriff

3. The unseen lover of Mary's from the car

4. Mary committed suicide by jumping off the bridge.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Did he do it?
dtucker8615 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Richard Marx's song Hazard is one of those tunes that haunts you long after its over because of the disturbing content of the story it tells. This video brings it to life and makes it even more chilling. Even though its just a music video you really get drawn into this dark gothic Southern Web of murder and mystery and wonder if Marx really did kill Mary. Michael Jackson's Thriller was the first music video I saw that really scared me but this one gave me chills as well. Its also a treat seeing one of my favorite television actors Robert Conrad (Yes Jim West himself!) in this video as the sheriff.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed