The tag line for Blue Valentine; ‘A love story for anyone who has ever been in love’. This pretty much sums up the film in one line.
The most candid and touching film about the marriage of Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams). This duo works very well – This is certainly the saddest feel good film I have seen this year because it’s so realistic. The film is a personal story of a young contemporary married couple charting their evolution over years and cutting between various time periods of their lives. The whirlwind start of falling in love and then the realization that these two people are not good for each other anymore works very well because the majority of us can relate.
The film strengths lie in the filming and the stunning screenplay; shaky close up’s of the two main characters compliments the perceptive story line. In the first half of the film, the audience tends to sympathise Ryan Goslings character as the easy-going, loving & hedonistic Dean. We only begin to empathise with the somewhat elusive boarding on unappreciative Cindy, when the film relates back to when she fell pregnant. Neither of these characters are in the wrong – Blue Valentine merely offers audience's an intimate peep hole into their relationship; the spiritually awakening good times and heart shattering, difficult times.
The lack of judgment and stereotype upon these characters makes the film even more endearing. Blue Valentine isn’t claustrophobic in the slightest nor does it portray a negative view on relationships as Closer and Revolutionary Road gave us.
This is Derek Cianfrance’s first attempt at a feature film and hats off to him for the sheer amount of attention and thoughtful details that was put into production. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams prove here to be immensely talented actors. The last sequence in particular is remarkably shot – As they argue, the film skips back to the fire worked drowned sequence of their wedding day.
The film ended as suspected, ambiguously – The audience is left wondering whether these two people will manage to mend their relationship, there is certainly a glimmer of hope. Gosling clearly stole the show in Blue Valentine but that’s not saying Williams wasn't incredible, she was.
Overall; A unique, deeply touching, humorous and well-crafted film.
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Cast: Michelle Williams, Ryan Gosling
Runtime: 112 min
Country: USA
