Rent-Worthy Flick

Blue Valentine (2010)

The film premiered at the 26th Sundance Film Festival and was scored by Brooklyn-based band Grizzly Bear

The indie drama centered arouned the fragile relationship between married couple Dean Pereira (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy Heller (Michelle Williams). The first introduction of the couple shows them at middle-age, tense and falling apart at the seams. Dean takes Cindy to a motel for the weekend in a desperate attempt to save their fading love, but things take a turn in the wrong direction. The story shifts between flashbacks of

Williams recieved a 2010 Oscar nod for "Best Actress"

early stages in their relationship to the present, six years later, at the dissolution of their union. Moments of youthful bliss and unyielding affection in their courtship are contrasted with the current sate of dysfunction and bitterness. Details about the characters and their pasts unfold and reveal why their relationship is so doomed. 

 Dean is a passionate, romantic dreamer while Cindy is a jaded realist who questions the meaning of love: "How do you trust your feelings when they can just disappear like that?" The film sets out to answer that question. Blue Valentine is set apart from other romance movies by it's brutal honesty and captivating lead performances. It can be gloomy and bleak at times but is emotionally gripping and well-worth watching, especially if you're over sappy, generic romcoms. Although the idea is not new- a story based on a failing relationship- Blue Valentine is refreshingly original for its delivery. Free of charm and pretty presentation, the film instead uses imperfections and devastating truths to gain an edge above the rest.