Word of warning. Don’t watch Blue Valentine if you’re on a date.
I’d been at the Hospital Club earlier that day and the lovely people on reception mentioned that there were still some spaces for the film, Blue Valentine, showing later that evening. Without thinking, I said I’d like 2 spaces and then text the guy I was meeting later to say that I’d lined up something fun to do that evening.
Oh, how wrong I was. As we sat in the giant squishy chairs, it soon became apparent that Blue Valentine was a film that laid bare relationships in a light that was too painful to watch because you were either in a relationship similar to it, or knew people who were. FAARK. Good move Eliza, you’re never going to see this guy again.
But, enough of that. Back to the film. If I’d been with a friend, I’d have thoroughly enjoyed it. Whilst I love happy-go-lucky films such as Disney, I have great respect for films that pick up on the realities of life and this does so intimately.
Focusing on the relationship between Cindy (Michelle Williams) and Dean (Ryan Gosling), the audience is seamlessly transported between the two extremes of their relationship – the excitement, wonder and exploration of their beginnings and the frustration, resentment and distress of their lacklustre present.
Both actors, I felt, were excellent in their raw realness of emotion and despair. The audience can truly empathise withe mixed emotions when they spend a night away from their daughter to try and re-kindle the love they once had. There are bittersweet moments dotted throughout but in general, you can’t help feeling sad – sad for both of them.
There was a rather awkward moment when Blue Valentine ended and my date and I sat there in silence. He broke it first: ”I feel like I’m never going to smile again. Can we watch something happy now please?”
See the trailer here:
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