Blue Valentine

"Blue Valentine" tells the tormented tale of a young couple in various stages of courtship and marriage.  Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star as Dean and Cindy who meet cute and fall in love, despite differing backgounds and other obstacles that threaten to keep them apart.  Dean and Cindy eventually marry and start a family.  But soon, the initial passion and differences that attracted them to each other start to create discord and resentment, and we see Dean and Cindy grow further and further apart as their relationship slowly unravels.  This extremely personal and poignant story is depicted in a fractured timeline, with happy scenes from Dean and Cindy's past interspersed with the harsh reality of their present day.  This narrative device packs a powerful punch as we slowly discover the events that lead to the couple's inevitable demise.  Gosling and Williams both deliver raw and riveting perfomances, to the point where it becomes uncomfortable at times to watch such private moments displayed so nakedly on the screen.  The film is beautifully directed, with impeccable attention to detail that results in an honest and realistic portrayal of the darkest of love stories.  "Blue Valentine" is that rare film which is too emotionally draining for repeat viewing, but is nonetheless a stirring piece of drama you will never forget.


4 out of 5 stars