Review: Blue Valentine

Although a basic concept in theory Blue Valentine manages to transform the simple love story into something altogether more complex. Not an easy watch, but certainly a rewarding one.

They say love and hate are different sides of the same coin. A thin veil separating feelings of strong adoration and strong detester. But what is left when both of these feelings are gone? The answer is indifference, a feeling more corrosive to a relationship than dislike or disdain can ever be. This is the area that Blue Valentine exposes, as well as everything in between. Not only are all these phases of a relationship shown, they are in shown in tangent to each other. This could have ended in disaster but is actually one of the elements of the film that makes it stand out from the crowd of other romantic dramas. It’s directed in a way which uses jumps in the timeline very effectively showing the beginning and the end of the relationship simultaneously. This makes the story more than just a linear process tracking a relationship. Depending on your preference, this can either provide an interesting prospective or complicate a rather simple narrative. It is a concept that allows us to see the striking changes that the relationship goes through. Showing scenes from the beginning and the end really serves to emphasise the message of the film, that passion fades.

The element of Blue Valentine that really matters is the relationship between the two focal characters. This requires two central aspects of the film to come together, the script writing and the chemistry between Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. The dialogue in the film beautifully captures the intensity between the pair. It also allows us to understand why the characters are drawn to each other with the strength in which they are. Each character sees something in the other that they need, creating strong passion and awesome on-screen heat. Shots of the couple together married are presented well; the relationship, although clearly strained, still has depth and does not fall into the tired old married couple cliché. The history between the couple is clear and although the audience does not experience much of the relationship, we are not left feeling left out or confused at how the relationship has changed. This is partly through both the characters interactions with the daughter, an area in which many frustrations are exposed. The script is solid throughout, but it can be slow in parts. This is not a fast-paced film by any means, but the message would not have been fully conveyed if it was. It is also possible to become lost in the subtly of the film, not engaging with the concept of the film could lead the viewer feeling underwhelmed and even at times bored.

The lead roles played by Williams and Gosling were what really made the film a success. Their parts required quite dramatic transformations and they both pulled it off with sincere and genuine performances. Although only Michelle Williams has received an Oscar nomination for her role, the film relies heavily on Ryan Gosling's effectiveness, and for this reason both deserve recognition. The chemistry between the pair is tangible and is what makes the film a great watch, not even as an entertainment (which it still is), but because of its relevance to so many people in similarly tragic situations. It doesn’t represent the storybook tale, but a real-life and, at times, gritty, not always easy to watch performance. It is commendable and deserved of more credit than it has received. Unfortunately it’s been a victim of such stiff competition at the recent awards ceremonies.

Blue Valentine is not a pleasant rom-com nor is it always easy to watch. It offers a real-life perspective of a relationship with effective direction, a good script and brilliant acting. It’s a terrible shame that the film has not gained the recognition it deserves. If you want to watch a nice story about a couple falling in love and ending happily-ever-after, this is one to avoid. If however you are interested in a story which aims to reflect the real-life complexities of a relationship, then this is for you.