Review: Blue Valentine
Blue Valentine Competition amongst Hollywood movies has been particularly rife this year with several much-talked about pictures battling for a great Oscar win. The King’s Speech, Black Swan and The Kids Are Alright have received rave reviews for best performances, scores and cinematography. Quite deservedly, Michelle Williams has received a Best Actress nomination for her role in Blue Valentine, as long-suffering Cindy. Although quite shockingly Ryan Gosling has failed to receive a nod for his quirky performance of Dean.
Blue Valentine focuses on the lives of Cindy and Dean, a young couple who try to work through their failing marriage for the sake of their daughter Frankie, played by the adorable Faith Wladyka. Initially, it is difficult to take Gosling seriously as the goofy, free-spirited house painter Dean, however, as the story progresses you can’t help but empathise with his situation. From the get-go it is clear of the extent Williams’ has absorbed herself into her character, portraying a sad and exhausted Cindy.
The chemistry between Gosling and Williams is electrifying and although their relationship blows hot and cold, the sparks are definitely flying. The story of Cindy and Dean’s life is told through a series of well-placed flashbacks that tie neatly into the issues of their present lives. Through the flashbacks we see how the two came to meet, how they fell in love and the life-changing situation that dramatically affects their relationship.
The thing that makes Blue Valentine refreshing is that it is quite simply, a film about an ordinary working class couple and the journey of their disintegrating marriage. Blue Valentine doesn’t put up a façade of something that it is clearly not, for it is a raw, honest and edgy indie flick. It is not your typical glorified Hollywood romantic movie, instead it is akin to looking through the window of a couple’s house and chronicling their ups and downs.
The only possible criticism of Blue Valentine is that it doesn’t explicitly reveal why Cindy fell out of love with Dean. There are hints as to Dean’s drinking and lack of career ambitions, but it doesn’t exclusively pin-point the exact the reason. However, in real-life relationships, it’s difficult to pin-point the exact moment you fall out of love, the same way it’s hard to explain the exact reasons you love someone.
Nonetheless, Cindy and Dean’s story is brilliantly told and beautifully comes full circle at the end. While some may not like the conclusion, it harshly parallels the snap back to reality that most couples feel when a relationship comes to an end. Blue Valentine took eight years to come to the big screen, but the time and dedication is evident in the story and mesmerising, heart-felt acting.
