Film Review: Blue Valentine

Director: Derek Cianfrance

The film was in the pipeline for a long time with Michelle Williams signing on to the film aged 21 but didn't actually start production until 2009 when she was 27. Derek Cianfrance hoped to shoot the younger and older scenes several years apart to make it look authentic but couldn't do this due to budget constraints. Due to some scenes of a sexual nature the film was given an NC-17 rating in the USA which caused Ryan Gosling to accuse the MPAA of sexism and misogyny, the film was given an R rating on re-submission.

Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) on their wedding day

The narrative cuts between the present day with Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (well performed by Michelle Williams) trying to save their marriage whilst looking after Cindy's daughter Frankie, who was probably fathered by Cindy's previous boyfriend, and 5 years previous when they met and fell in love.

Cianfrance has taken a sombre look at marriage for an average couple who struggle on low wages in small town America. Gosling and Williams are both powerful in their performances and genuinely make you feel the frustrations between them. To prepare they both moved into a rented home together and lived on a budget similar to what the characters would live on, this helps gives the feel of frustration and tension between the couple as they became tired of each other.

Dean and Cindy begin to fight

The big question asked by the film is why do marriages and relationships fail? In Blue Valentine there is no one big reason why their marriage is failing and no one solution for them to try and fix it. Both parties have their faults with Dean look a shadow of his former self when both narratives are compared. Relaxed and fun loving when they met, he has turned into a slightly paranoid and tense man who has taken up drinking in the morning. The differences between the couple are hugely apparent during arguments as Dean instantly says exactly what he's thinking and Cindy keeps everything inside so you don't know what she's actually thinking.

The film is very slow to start and only really starts moving around the half way stage which is a shame and the scenes in the hotel seem to drag on un-necessarily. Gosling's character comes across as quite annoying as the film progresses but this certainly helps you understand the frustration that Cindy feels whilst her lack of communication is equally frustrating. It makes you want to just scream at them to get a therapist but as the film progresses it really is heart breaking to see it failing in front of you whilst watching them young, happy and in love from 5 years earlier.

3/4 very slow start but builds into a fascinating climax