Review of Blue Valentine (2010) by Ben S — 27 Nov 2012

Well observed portrait of a young couple and what it is to be in (and out) of love. Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) live a suburban life in New York with their daughter Frankie. While Dean fools around with Frankie over breakfast he is equal parts father and playmate, whereas Cindy cuts a dejected figure who is seemingly worn down by their relationship.

This story of a troubled marriage is told in parallel with the coupleâ(TM)s meeting in younger, brighter days, with the film cutting between the stories throughout. Itâ(TM)s a powerful device used expertly by director Derek Cianfrance to give both stories more resonance.

As the teens goof around and share intimate moments, weâ(TM)re abruptly thrown back to the present of bickering and fading attraction and as viewers we are left to wonder, where did it all go wrong? But as anyone who has been through a break-up can attest, Dean and Cindy are thinking the same thing.

These time shifts allow the film a perfect balance of light and dark, with genuine laughs and tender shared moments stopping it becoming too heavy and depressing; but equally it doesnâ(TM)t pull its punches in the blacker scenes which are made all the tougher in comparison.

The two lead performances are the real stars here â" in other hands both roles could have been two-dimensional but Gosling and Williams fully embody the characters and deliver pitch perfect naturalistic turns.

Their chemistry is magnetic and at times it feels less like watching a film and more like peering into the coupleâ(TM)s life. One of the most powerful films about the mysteries of love that youâ(TM)ll ever see.