Rating of
3/4
Blue Valentine review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 09/30/13
“You gotta be careful with that. You gotta be careful with the person you fall in love is worth it... to you.” The movie focuses on a married couple, Dean Pereira (Gosling) and Cynthia "Cindy" Heller (Williams) with their joys and struggles. Its highlights were the character development (must watch scene with Gosling singing and playing the ukulele and Williams dances and as charming as ever/the heartbreaking scene in the end), authentic screenplay and impressive camera direction. Ryan Gosling shows potential in dramas while Michelle Williams exhibited the best performance of her career and was duly noted in the Academy Awards for her nomination. The pair really conveyed as a couple onscreen was believable which keeps the viewer interested about the outcome. It’s overall plot however felt lacking and the love scenes over stretched for its own good. If only we see more about the roots of the couples troubles aside from 2 instances cited on the film (to avoid spoilers). A few great quotes from Dean “I feel like men are more romantic than women.” “Maybe I've seen too many movies, you know, love at first sight. What do you think about love at first sight? You think you can love somebody just by looking at them?” and from Cindy “I'd like to see you think about what you say instead of saying what you think all the time. Good luck.” It was nostalgic that some scene this critic can truly relate since it happened and yet acceptance is the only key. Blue Valentine has its dragging moments but shows the immense potential of the director and how difficult relationships can become after marriage. Realistic, provocative and an above average romantic drama.
