Review of Blue Valentine (2010) by Damjan R — 17 Feb 2013

For me it wasn't a real surprise that Gosling and Williams were pretty good actors, so their great performances are not unexpected. What was unexpected is the paper thin plot and story which offers only bare bones narration.

Now I have nothing against minimalist story elements, or none at all in fact, but this film had a certain realness that films of this nature should avoid in my opinion. The mundane day to day experience in films needs to be augmented with the cinematic, and magical to have the same power as do those days in real life.

It needs that embellishment I feel at least. Cianfrance is an able director, but no screenwriter and it shows. The story could have benefited from shortening some scenes and with the adding of some. Recommended for doubters of Gosling's ability (if there are any).