Review of Blue Valentine (2010) by Randy H — 30 Nov 2013

Interesting take on the modern marriage with some very good acting, but in the end whilst it's depressing it's not quite deep enough to be really convincing. The other major issue this film has is that whilst Gosling's decline from a happy-go-lucky free spirit to an 'adult' but slightly bitter guy is cleverly done- and effectively acted (it really seems like two guys) he doesn't pull off blue-collar.

Michelle Williams does it a lot better. And it's not just looks, I just found the disparity in Gosling's transformation more jarring. A good film, and pretty well done but no great shakes. I guess Gosling should have worked on his married man a bit harder, or the pre-married one, to join them up.

Yes, bad relationships can change people but there's nothing of either in both of his portrayals.