Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star as Dean and Cindy in Blue Valentine, Derek Cianfrance’s 2010 drama about a marriage falling apart. The film follows their relationship across two timelines: the beginning of their romance and its collapse years later. Gosling plays Dean, a painter who drifts through life without purpose. Williams plays Cindy, a nurse whose exhaustion masks deeper unhappiness. Together, they raise a young daughter named Frankie.
Trailer, via PalaceFilms.
The Two Timelines
The film splits its story between the past and the present. In the past, we see Dean and Cindy fall in love. In the present, we watch their marriage crumble. This structure lets the film show how the cracks formed. It also lets us feel the weight of what has been lost.
The Dog’s Death
A turning point comes early. Cindy finds their family dog, Megan, dead by the roadside. She arrives late to a school event. Dean is already there. He blames her for leaving the gate open. She breaks down in tears. He buries Megan and breaks down himself. Cindy comforts him.
A Weekend Apart
Later, Dean insists on a getaway at a motel two hours away. He calls it “get drunk and make love.” Cindy is reluctant because she is scheduled as “on-call” for her job the next day. They drop off Frankie with Cindy’s father. Dean does not enter the house. When Cindy asks why, he says he cannot smoke near her father’s oxygen tank.
The Encounter With Bobby
While driving to the motel, Cindy stops by a liquor store. There she meets an ex-boyfriend, Bobby. The encounter is awkward. It causes both of them to pause.
What Works
The film succeeds because of its performances. Gosling and Williams give two of the best performances of their careers. Their chemistry is electric even when the script shows them hurting each other. The film also benefits from a strong supporting cast, including John Doman as Cindy’s father and Ontario Mike Vogel as Bobby.
Where It Falls Short
Some viewers may find the film too bleak. The story does not offer much hope. The ending leaves the couple’s fate open, which some may see as unresolved. Others may argue the film’s portrait of Cindy is less developed than Dean’s.
The Numbers
- Runtime: 112 minutes
- Budget: $1 million
- Box office: $16.6 million
- Release date: December 29, 2010
- Festival premieres: Sundance (January 24, 2010), Cannes (May 18, 2010)
Final Word
Blue Valentine is a tough watch, but a necessary one. Gosling and Williams carry the film with raw honesty. The script is sharp and unsentimental. It earns its reputation as a demanding, rewarding drama.
“A Love Story.”
That tagline is accurate. This is a love story about how love ends. It is not easy to sit through, but it is rare in its truth.
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