Blue Valentine: Heartbreakingly Beautiful

4 = Medal of Honor

I walked into Derek Cianfrance’s “Blue Valentine” expecting to see a depressing movie. After all, I knew what the film was about – the beginning and ending of a relationship. If it was done correctly, I knew it was not going to be one of those “feel good” kind of movies. Even with that knowledge, I was not prepared for 112 minutes of brilliance I was about to see on screen.

Two words – Ryan Gosling. Two more words – Michelle Williams. These two actors provide a master class in acting as young lovers Dean and Cindy. It’s almost love at first sight. Maybe from Dean’s perspective, it is love at first sight. Throughout the film we see these two people become friends, fall in love, make difficult decisions, get married, and then slowly grow apart both in their relationship with each other and in their future goals.



Gosling and Williams make it look so easy. It’s as if they aren’t even acting. Their relationship on screen is so real, so honest that you can’t help but feel like you’re somehow intruding on the lives of an actual couple in love and in turmoil. Their powerful and raw performances in “Blue Valentine” should definitely solidify their status in the acting community. Academy voters , how could you not nominate Ryan Gosling for Best Actor?

Although “Blue Valentine” finds its strength in the performances of Gosling and Williams, it’s equally as strong in the way the film is constructed as a whole. Cinematographer Andrij Parekh, film editors Jim Helton and Ron Patane, and director Derek Cianfrance created a look and feel to the film that managed to mirror the authenticity of the characters and the story. It wasn’t meant to look polished and slick, just real and honest. At times, the editing style reminded me of one of my favorite films “Penny Serenade.” In that film, flashbacks were associated with a particular piece of music that the female character was listening to. Each song brought back both happy and heartbreaking memories she shared over the years with her soon to be ex-husband. In a similar vein, “Blue Valentine” uses specific moments that trigger flashbacks for both characters, allowing the audience to experience the couple in better times.

What I loved most about this film was that in the end I sympathized with both Dean and Cindy. I wasn’t left blaming one person over the other for the demise of their relationship. I also had a feeling there was a lot the audience didn’t see, which allowed us to make our own judgments about the couple. In the end, “Blue Valentine” exemplifies that the dissolution of a marriage isn’t necessarily so black and white. Sometimes both sides are equally to blame.

One last note – the imagery used in the end credits was absolutely beautiful to watch. Take a minute to enjoy them in the theater. You’ll be glad you did.

“It says so – right here.”