Blue Valentine is directed by Derek Cianfrance and stars Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. I consider this trio to be a group of people who have really put truth into the word unexpected.
Blue Valentine would not have received so much attention if it didn't have such a film festival following. Cianfrance is not really a household name. He is a director who is probably better known for documentary films on musicians like Diddy, Mos Def and Annie Lennox.
(sidenote: Annie's daughter Tali is a big name on the young model circuit)
Ryan Gosling has done a lot of memorable TV and film. But who would have thunk he'd be such a show stopper when he played Alan Bosley in Remember the Titans? To me, Gosling became a star to watch after he did Murder by Numbers, but obviously, his breakout role was Noah in The Notebook. And now--I couldn't tell you how many times the girls in the audience clapped when his face appeared on the screen.
And what about Michelle Williams? Wasn't she just supposed to be crazy sex-fiend Jen from Dawson's Creek who could never get along with Grams, and who could never live up to Joey?
It seems to me that more people took notice of Michelle after Brokeback Mountain and Heath Ledger's death. The good thing is, I'm glad to see that she's no longer in Katie Holmes' shadow.
~~~
Blue Valentine is a stunning portrayal of the coming and going of love. The story is non-chronological, so you get to witness how two people who are so obviously different used to be madly in love. Michelle's Cindy is a professional who dives head first into her job as a nurse as not to face the problems in her marriage. Ryan's Dean is a lover, not a fighter; who doesn't seem to have the same goals as his wife.
While watching the movie, I was hoping the projector would get stuck on all the scenes of Cindy and Dean in the past, back when they held each other, sang stupid love songs and danced silly jigs. Back when they were free to love.
Every time the scenes went back to the present, my heart sank--knowing that their end was near.
The beautiful thing about Blue Valentine is that it's not typical in any way. Of course we've seen movies where couples break up, but they're not told in the same intense and artistic manner. You root for this couple because of the way Cindy looks at Dean and because of the love Dean obviously never lost for Cindy.
The shattering of their marriage reaches its climax when they try to spend a romantic night in the Future Room of a cheesy motel. It's really when Dean, Cindy and the audience become truly aware of the inevitable.
My last movie review was on Black Swan, and if I had to recommend two great movies of 2010 (and not just for indie film lovers), I would definitely put Black Swan and Blue Valentine on that list!
5 of 5 Hearts!
♥♥♥♥♥
Have you seen this movie?
This is Michelle Williams' second feature on the Movie Reviews section of my blog. You can also find her in my review of Shutter Island from last year.
Don't forget to Re-tweet and Like this post at the top!
Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to get the latest blog updates and upcoming giveaway news! Just click on the Fashion Musings Newsletter on my sidebar.
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Blue Valentine would not have received so much attention if it didn't have such a film festival following. Cianfrance is not really a household name. He is a director who is probably better known for documentary films on musicians like Diddy, Mos Def and Annie Lennox.
(sidenote: Annie's daughter Tali is a big name on the young model circuit)
Ryan Gosling has done a lot of memorable TV and film. But who would have thunk he'd be such a show stopper when he played Alan Bosley in Remember the Titans? To me, Gosling became a star to watch after he did Murder by Numbers, but obviously, his breakout role was Noah in The Notebook. And now--I couldn't tell you how many times the girls in the audience clapped when his face appeared on the screen.
And what about Michelle Williams? Wasn't she just supposed to be crazy sex-fiend Jen from Dawson's Creek who could never get along with Grams, and who could never live up to Joey?
It seems to me that more people took notice of Michelle after Brokeback Mountain and Heath Ledger's death. The good thing is, I'm glad to see that she's no longer in Katie Holmes' shadow.
~~~
Blue Valentine is a stunning portrayal of the coming and going of love. The story is non-chronological, so you get to witness how two people who are so obviously different used to be madly in love. Michelle's Cindy is a professional who dives head first into her job as a nurse as not to face the problems in her marriage. Ryan's Dean is a lover, not a fighter; who doesn't seem to have the same goals as his wife.
While watching the movie, I was hoping the projector would get stuck on all the scenes of Cindy and Dean in the past, back when they held each other, sang stupid love songs and danced silly jigs. Back when they were free to love.
Every time the scenes went back to the present, my heart sank--knowing that their end was near.
The beautiful thing about Blue Valentine is that it's not typical in any way. Of course we've seen movies where couples break up, but they're not told in the same intense and artistic manner. You root for this couple because of the way Cindy looks at Dean and because of the love Dean obviously never lost for Cindy.
The shattering of their marriage reaches its climax when they try to spend a romantic night in the Future Room of a cheesy motel. It's really when Dean, Cindy and the audience become truly aware of the inevitable.
My last movie review was on Black Swan, and if I had to recommend two great movies of 2010 (and not just for indie film lovers), I would definitely put Black Swan and Blue Valentine on that list!
5 of 5 Hearts!
♥♥♥♥♥
Have you seen this movie?
This is Michelle Williams' second feature on the Movie Reviews section of my blog. You can also find her in my review of Shutter Island from last year.
Don't forget to Re-tweet and Like this post at the top!
Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to get the latest blog updates and upcoming giveaway news! Just click on the Fashion Musings Newsletter on my sidebar.
Birthday Giveaway Fest Coming Soon!
I saw this movie.its truly a good movie if u can brace yourself to all the sadness and reality the movie has to offer. But somehow somewhere I got the idea that she was Never in love with him in the first plaze! She was having the "idea" that she is in love,,'coz what ryan gosling says in the movie when they show his happy days is quite true "guys know when they are marrying a gal as they do it for the right reason coz they want & need to get hitched to the gal but the gals always weighs pros and cons and marries the "suitable" guy they come across,, they actually "settle" down for someone whom they think will be there for them"(not exactly the words). I guess tats wat happened to her! she married him for all the wrong reasons thinking he will be "there" for her as she was going thru a traumatic situation,, as its shown very well towards the end that he is still so much in love with her and wants to work things out, and she just keeps on turning him away!for gods sake the guy is a perfect father figure to her daughter whom he didn't "HELP"(LOL) bring into the world with her and he was there for her no matter wat!!!!gawd! i felt like punching her face!LOL. sorry for the long comment but the movie really did a number on me;) and oh ya am in love with ryan gosling haa haa
ReplyDeleteOh I am so glad that you did a review of this movie! I really wanted to see it, I love both the actors :) Black Swan was amazing too!
ReplyDeleteI really really want to see this film - I keep hearing the most amazing things about it. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeletexoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com
What a wonderful review. I for one cannot wait to watch it now!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. It looks like a great movie. Cant wait to watch it! :)
ReplyDeletecool review dear
ReplyDeleteits soo helpful for us
nice information this story is good
thanks you so much for posting dear
take care have great weekend
Loved the review..I'm definitely watching it! Btw, say 127 hours today! :) Moved me :)
ReplyDeleteXX
http://fortheloveoffashionandotherthings.blogspot.com
I really want to see this film. I keep hearing such amazing things about it. This is a great review. I can't believe how far Michelle has come since Dawson's Creek. Gosh I used to love that show. I think it's awesome that her and Katie Holmes have done so well since. :)
ReplyDeleteFab review, darling!
ReplyDeleteNow I want to see this!
xoxox,
CC
I was on the fence about seeing this movie, but your review now has me intrigued. Btw, I love your film reviews, you have great eclectic film taste!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for this review :-) I love watching films, but this one doesn't seem to be out here in Germany, yet. It sounds like very worth watching & I'll definitely put it on my "to watch" list. I think the more "independet films & directors" deserve much more attention as those "smaller" films are often way more intense & interesting than the blockbusters.
ReplyDeletehttp://tabathasrefugium-tabatha.blogspot.com/
Ohh I can't wait to see this! Both are great actors!
ReplyDelete<3 kris&kel
www.krisandkel.com
Great movie. Penny and the Quarters was my favorite part!
ReplyDeleteaww this is such a fab review Cheryl...so beautiful with a great out view with each main characters...I LOVE the movie and yes they deserve the 5 hearts love imagine that!!!!
ReplyDeleteI wish this movie can be an eye opener to all the couples out there...
Kisses
Sweet
PensandLens
I am seriously in love with Ryan Gosling; though I have no clue whether I'll see this film or not. It doesn't really appeal to me. :/
ReplyDeleteI really want to see this movie, the storyline sounds so interesting. And just from reading this post I'm already rooting for this couple! haha.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I am actually thinking of going to see this movie today :)
ReplyDeleteI loved this movie!
ReplyDeleteI think I saw the actors promoting it at the Sundance Festival> Must look out for the DVD
ReplyDeleteI hadnt watch it yet but we're speaking about Ryan Gosling here, I fall in love with him with The Believer. He's a really good actor, had chose his roles wisely.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch many movies, But I will have to watch this one!
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to see this movie!~!! I never got Bobby or Vito Friend out of the house to see this and I refuse to bring Matthew to watch this movie. UGH. Must find someone to go with ;_;
ReplyDeleteThis movie would coming to my country on Valentine. Thanks for the review. Looks like I will watch it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to watch this movie yet, but it looks sooo good! I heard there was some controversy behind it though, and I'm not sure why. :/ Thanks for the short clip hehe.
ReplyDelete~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
Hey Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteI just watched this movie tonight and I came right to your blog to see if you wrote a review on the movie!
OK...I didn't get it.
I love both the actors- their work is amazing but I just did not understand how they went from SO in love to her actually hating him. I kept waiting for them to show what he did to her to make her hate him so much. I mean it wasn't like she just "fell out of love". She had pure disgust for him and he was nothing but good to her...Don't get me wrong it was a beautiful, raw film but I was left a little confused....