A bold exploration of two people, who are experiencing a crisis in their relationship, whilst showing the journey from their exciting and dramatic origins.
Ryan Gosling plays Dean, a humble removal man from a working class, New York background. Shown as the adoring father of Frankie (Faith Wladyka), Dean seems content with his lifestyle of married man, drinking during the day, and purposeless. His wife Cindy (Michelle Williams), works as a nurse at the local hospital, where long hours and a mediocre home life seem to have drained her of energy or enthusiasm. When the two attempt to rekindle their flame, mostly at the behest of Dean who wants to “get drunk together”, they experience a catastrophic meltdown in their relationship.
Alongside this present storyline, we are also shown how the couple came to be. Cindy was originally a promising college student, with dreams of becoming a doctor (hence her lack of enthusiasm of only becoming a nurse). Dean, still working then as a removal man, happens upon Cindy by chance, when moving an old guy into a home where Cindy is visiting her grandmother. Full of charm and confidence, Dean’s romantic notions eventually win Cindy’s attention, and the two enjoy the throes of young love; in a particularly sweet scene, the two end up outside a shop where Dean sings a song on the ukulele, whilst Cindy tap dances.
As the journey progresses, Dean’s romantic and idealistic tendencies reveal themselves as actually being more akin to childish recklessness. His lack of direction and spontaneity grate on Cindy, and cause ripples of discontent. Meanwhile, Cindy’s dashed hopes of success amount to just some of her baggage. Her ill-tempered father and violent college boyfriend seem to have given her serious issues with intimacy, whilst her unsuccessful attempt at an abortion, when pregnant with Frankie, reveal the turning point in her destiny.
It is difficult to pinpoint who is at fault in this film, and that is its strength. Rather than completely blame the drunken husband, or the frigid wife, the film takes on a more sophisticated and intelligent discussion. The relationship, which, initially seemed founded upon romance and instant love, seems to have been based on two people thrown together by circumstance, who, in the later stages, are now suffering with the consequences.
A wonderfully made film, Blue Valentine has some intense moments of emotion and intrusive revelations. Music, from the band Grizzly Bear adds a certain degree of indie appeal, that will inevitably attract younger viewers, but should appeal to most; and the film has a tendency to linger on awkward moments, making for an uncomfortable, yet engaging viewing experience.
Terrific film.
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