Blue Valentine (2010)

Hollywood far too often cranks out chick flicks that offer up sugarcoated portraits of the perfect marriage. Blue Valentine is something very different.

Blue Valentine, the 2010 release from director Derek Cianfrance, offers a story told in two parts — beginning and end — with no explanation of just how the two characters got from here to there.

The "beginning" of the story, although the past and present are intermingled constantly throughout the film, takes us through the blissful beginnings of the relationship between Dean and Cindy. With not a care in the world and not a hint of a rift between them, the two young lovers pledge to spend a lifetime together. The film then flashes forward a few years into the future where there are some serious troubles in paradise. Dean and Cindy seem to fight more often than not and it seems impossible for them to spend even one pleasant night together. The relationship deteriorates even further, eventually culminating in an explosive confrontation that, when juxtaposed with blissful past moments, proves to be excruciatingly heartbreaking to watch.

The cast of this film can be summed up in two names: Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. Canadian favourite Gosling plays Dean, the neighbourhood kid who has grown up into a respectable working-class man. Gosling gives an entertaining and comedic performance as the early Dean and a frightening yet empathy-inducing turn as the latter Dean whose marriage is crumbling. Equally strong in both the dualistic roles, Gosling does Canada proud.

Counterpointing as well as complimenting Gosling's Dean is Michelle Williams as Cindy. Williams plays youthful innocence and complete and utter love-struck in a way that will undoubtedly bring a smile to your face, and her ability to play the older and wiser Cindy is a work of true beauty. As Williams' character experiences her relationship crumble and falls out of love with a man she once cherished, she is honest and open, allowing the viewer to experience her every heart-wrenching emotion. There is simply no way to overstate the amount of talent Williams exudes on screen in this film.

The one thing that really makes Blue Valentine beautiful and touching is its realism. I am not talking about a realistic setting or even the romanticized "realism" of Canadian cinema. Blue Valentine is a display of love, life and sex and all the dirty, messy and painful aspects with which they go hand in hand. Censorship and ratings boards were aghast at the realism in the film and it only narrowly escaped the dreaded NC-17 rating in America, all because of the brutal honesty that is displayed in the film.

Never before has such an honest look been taken onscreen at the lives of two married people and perhaps it will remain unseen again for some time to come. Blue Valentine is a stunning portrait of a marriage and its downfall, and should not be missed by anyone.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars