Blue Valentine tells the story of a married couple, played brilliantly by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. The narrative structure of the film cross cuts between different time periods of their relationship, exposing intricacies and details about them. The film's over-arching story takes place in the presumable present as their relationship has deteriorated to some degree. Derek Cianfrance's Blue Valentine is very subtle in its approach, showing an honest depiction of a deteriorating relationship. Considering the film has arguable two of the best actors of their generation playing the couple certainly helps, but Cianfrance's direction and written deserves a lot of credit as well. I really liked how the film was structured, and the subtlety in its approach, with Cianfrance relying more on showing this decay visually as opposed to 'on the nose' dialogue. Blue Valentine doesn't get caught up in exploring other characters, staying with what is the most important - the relationship. The film never judges its characters, avoiding taking sides in what is being presented before the audience. When it's all said and done, do I know exactly what the film's about? Is it about the social standards that society places on us? Is it about accepting fate? Or working hard at a relationship? Hell, maybe its about how monogamy is not meant to be. The bottom line is that Blue Valentine understands this doesn't really matter, opting to simply present the viewer with this vivid portrait and letting them form their own conclusions. 9/10
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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