Review of Blue Valentine (2010) by Dillinger P — 02 Mar 2014

This study of a troubled relationship so is entrancing you completely forget your watching a film at times. However its impossible to enjoy a lot about this movie because of how depressing the subject matter can be.

the story revolves around a broken family, played expertly by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. Goslings character balding, a habitual drinker with a simple job but a master father figure, plays against Williams tired, depressed and fed up nurse.

Both characters never reached their full potential yet here they are making the clock tick and their child happy, despite being a burdon on each other. throughout we get flashbacks to their earlier days, as a happy couple and how it all got started, which completely enhances the current situation.

The acting here is of a calibre that is just jaw dropping. both leads just grip you, however you do lean towards Goslings character more because of his connection with the child. This film has some fantastic visual elements, the old war veterans retirement home or Williams tap dancing in the street under the light of a shop.

Its natural and strong stuff. My only gripe is that, throughout the build up there is a sense that something big happens in order to destroy the relationship, but the film keeps its simple. not a bad choice it just went against my expectations.

A must own.