Blue Valentine

I have to put a bit of a disclaimer here as I wont be able to write about this film without being a complete and utter girl about it. There aren’t many films that metaphorically kicked me in the stomach as hard as Blue Valentine. However, don’t be put off by my soppy reaction, Blue Valentine is a relationship drama that will appeal to both sexes. Starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine is the story of a young couple whose marriage is falling apart. The film intercuts their present day and flashbacks to key moments in their relationship. This flitting between time frames works seamlessly and is used to explain the context of why they behave towards each other in present day. It also makes their current situation more moving, and utterly painful, as you see them meet and fall in love. If you thought (500) Days of Summer was one of the most realistic depictions of a young relationship on screen to date this may just well trump that. Neither character is given sole blame for the breakdown of the relationship, both have their faults and flaws. I found myself feeling far more empathetic towards Gosling’s character, Dean, mainly because I found his character far more likable and Ryan Gosling’s performance is outstanding. The two leads give heartwrenching performances and five-year-old Faith Wladyka, who plays their daughter, is wonderful. You also can’t talk about this film without mentioning the Grizzly Bear score, which was my initial draw to the film. Rather than composing new songs, choral and instrumental versions of the majority of their most recent album, Veckatimest, are used to make up a score of sorts and it works perfectly. In fact, it was the moments in which their music was used which continually choked me up as it gives a real haunting pause and sadness at moments within the story. Blue Valentine has beautiful cinematography, an incredible script and is a devastatingly realistic depiction at how easily a relationship can go wrong, simply because it went wrong. If this film doesn’t get to you, you don’t have a soul. It’s a must-see. — Charlotte Official Trailer