Blue Valentine movie review - Aussieboyreviews
JUST HOW SORROW IS THE PORTRAIT OF A BREAKING MARRIAGE IN BLUE VALENTINE?
Emotive performances by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams make this bleak “love story” one to tear your heart. Blue Valentine is a very complex study of a dysfunctional marriage.
Storyline
The relationship between a married couple begins to shatter as they try to raise their young daughter.
Movie Images
Movie details
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Mike Vogel, John Doman, Faith Wladyka
Writer: Derek Cianfrance, Joey Curtis, Cami Delavigne
Release Date (Australia): 27 December 2010
Runtime: 112 minutes/1h 52m
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Language: English
CONTENT GUIDE (warning: May contain spoilers)
The film contains strong sexual themes and thematic material relating to relationship disputes and divorce. There is also a lengthy scene depicting an attempted abortion.
The film features beatings that are accompanied by blood and bruising detail.
The film features one use of the word “c**t”, aggressive use of the word “f**k”, and use of the words “s**t”, “bitch” and “**shole”.
None.
The film features depictions of buttocks and breasts nudity.
The film contains scenes of sexual activity including oral and anal sex.
mpaa rating
R (on appeal for strong graphic sexual content, language, and a beating)
Aussie boy's thoughts
Blue Valentine is the disheartening relationship study that jumps between the past and present of a now dysfunctional marriage, but the slow treading really prevents the opportunity to be a truly compelling piece of art. As humans with stress and struggles in our lives, we go to the theatre or watch movies as an escape from reality. The thing is that rare movies exist that do not let us leave our world, and instead lead us to confront the difficulties in our lives. In the case of Blue Valentine, we get a very realistic and bleak look at a shattering relationship.
Starring in the lead roles are two extremely talented actors, Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, in which they lead us through what’s more of a study than a story of their crumbling marriage as they try to raise their young daughter. These actors are the sources of making this movie feel like real life’s events progressing before our eyes. The film labels itself as a love story, and it sort of is, but not in the way you’d expect due to the well-performed arguing, fighting and unhappiness that occurs throughout what we see of this marriage. The cinematography is also impeccable; every shot consists of a bleak undertone and deliver all of the emotions. It’s also written pretty well but not unaccompanied by a few flaws.
In the end, Blue Valentine is a slow-burn and will only work for audiences who can make it to the credits without losing interest and remaining compelled in the characters. Undeniably, there are only a couple, but very lengthy sections throughout this movie that many people will simply find boring. The actors and the way they are directed aren’t at fault here; this is more of an issue to do with the screenwriting. Overall, it’s a fairly saddening movie that exposes the truth and the tears in marriage, probably to avoid from couples temporarily struggling with their own issues.
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