Movie Review: Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine = Oscar Worthy.

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams convinced me as Dean and Cindy that love does have a time limit, love can and does run out. The characters of Dean and Cindy seem to be so care-free and loving. Dean, played to perfection by Ryan Gosling, is a man with so much potential- he sings, he plays an instrument, he loves life. Cindy is a young girl who is confused, though at the same time seems to have her life figured out; she sees her life going in a certain direction. She doesn't seem to know what love is until she meets Dean who is handsome and charming and seems to be "the protector."

Sadly, or actually not sadly because it is just life, Dean and Cindy's relationship begins to crumble. Dean hasn't lived up to his potential-he could do or be whatever, whoever he wants but instead is content with painting houses. He seems to provide or at least contribute to his family, to his wife and daughter. Cindy is frustrated that Dean doesn't want to live up to more. She is tired of taking care of two kids. As she says in the film, "I'm done. That's it. There is no more love for you here." This story is that of a disintegrating family, love, relationship.

I don't expect people to read this. I began this blog for me only; just as a way to get my true thoughts out. In fact, if you do know me and are reading this, perhaps you should stop. My family has a lot of drama, a lot of issues that need to be worked out. This "drama" has been going on for as long as I can remember, if fact, it is my first memory. I remember going to visit my dad with my mom, brother and sister. The weather seemed to always be nice so we were always out on the grass. There was a short cement wall that my sister and I would walk across to practice keeping our balance. There was a white fence/gate that was covered in vines and magenta flowers. There was a fountain in the middle of the yard. The drama got better and then got worse again. Better. Worse. Better. Worse. The cycle doesn't stop. It is a disease that can't be stopped. The only person to stop the cycle is my dad. This movie, as great as it is, was hard for me to watch. When watching Ryan Gosling's character Dean rise and fall, it was like watching my dad rise and fall with the same battle. His goofiness, charm and kind-heart win you over, but only for so long. I am at that point of "I'm done. That's it."