Blue Valentine

I believe that this film was first written in 1998 and re-written over 60 times until the final version was filmed. This film shows the very personal story of the failing of a marriage. This movie felt real, it didn't just feel like it was trying to be real.

Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling play Cindy and Dean, the couple at the center of the story. The movie starts at a point where you know that Cindy is just going through the motions, and you see how wound up and defeated she is just going through her everyday morning routine with their daughter Frankie. Dean on the other hand still really loves his wife, and seems confused at her rejection and just can't seem to catch a break. She fell in love with him as he was, and yet he is now no longer enough. She fell in love with him for who he was, and yet chastises him for not having become more.

The performances from these two actors is just so impressive. Michelle Williams shows sadness and timidity, defeat and fear with her entire body - her hands, her posture, her face. I wrote about Nicole Kidman's performance in 'Rabbit Hole' earlier in the month, and I said there that Nicole's eyes portray emotion, but her face is frozen with botox and she doesn't use her body well. Michelle Williams throws herself in this role with her whole physicality, she couldn't have played the role any better. Despite the fact that throughout the movie I empathised with Dean more than Cindy, you could not only see, but feel this woman's sense of entrapment.

Ryan Gosling was also outstanding as Dean. A great performance, you could see how much he loved his wife, and how her rejection hurts him. But aside from that, he is a stone cold fox and he has one of my favorite on screen faces.

Loved it loved it loved it. I hope they win loads of awards! I would think that at the very least, the two lead actors would deserve nominations as would Derek Cianfrance for his incredible screenplay.
5/5