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Blue Valentine

Play trailer 1:45 Poster for Blue Valentine R Released Dec 29, 2010 2h 0m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 211 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) live a quiet life in a modest neighborhood. To the casual observer, everything appears normal, if a bit subdued. But a closer examination reveals a couple caught in a downward spiral. They appear to have the world at their feet at the outset of the relationship. However, his lack of ambition and her retreat into self-absorption cause potentially irreversible cracks in their marriage.
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Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine

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Critics Consensus

This emotionally gripping examination of a marriage on the rocks isn't always easy to watch, but Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling give performances of unusual depth and power.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek See it for [Ryan] Gosling and [Michelle] Williams, but be advised: if you take a date, you'll be sorry. Feb 6, 2018 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Williams's beautiful performance is played nicely off Gosling's remarkably vulnerable performance yielding a timeless portrayal of love, romance, agony and despair. Rated: A+ Sep 9, 2017 Full Review Laura Kern Film Comment Magazine Unlike Bergman's searing Scenes from a Marriage, which sustains itself for every one of its 299 devastating minutes, Blue Valentine begins to falter somewhere during its 114. Jun 20, 2013 Full Review Nadia Dalimonte Next Best Picture The concept of a troubled marriage might be familiar grounds, but the intimate storytelling of “Blue Valentine” feels personal to Cianfrance’s filmmaking style. Rated: 9/10 May 9, 2024 Full Review Michael Leader Den of Geek Blue Valentine gently invites the viewer into their lives. Rated: 4/5 May 7, 2024 Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson The story of Blue Valentine is fascinating, but a tough and tragic one to watch, nonetheless. It doesn't shy away from the depression, tension, and stress, anymore than it does the passion and attaction. Rated: 4/5 Feb 16, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Niza R Movies like these are difficult to come by, Ryan gosling and Michelle Williams have the kind of chemistry you’d find between your midwestern parents, and because of that the movie not only seems familiar but hits way too close to home. Blue valentine movies you to a place of discomfort and love, it helps you doubt things that you were sure about, truths and facts that you thought you could’ve proved, but it also shows you that honest love has existed and will continue to exist regardless if it’s mutual Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/23/25 Full Review Marissa W What a movie to watch. Heart wrenching. Pull heart out and punch… again. Beautifully told… a story so relatable that it broke my heart all over again. I do have a new love for both of these actors! Ryan Gosling & Michelle Williams. They delivered a beautiful acted movie and left it all on the table! I hope they both are proud. Great job. Worth the watch but be ready. This movie may leave you with heartburn and all the feels. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/18/25 Full Review M T Haven't felt like I have watched many real movies lately. It's 2025 and in short supply. Great performances where nothing took me out of the movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/02/25 Full Review av 8 This one has been on my watchlist for an embarrassingly long time. What I found to be the most admirable element in its creation is the stark contrast it portrays throughout the film of the two peripheries of their love—young and unprecedented love against reality. When life gets too real and prickly, it is bound to burst one's bubble. Frankly, their romance seemed to lack authenticity to me. It was built upon lust and not meant to last. Ryan Gosling's transformation from a gentleman in his prime to nearly a drunkard, and Michelle Williams's drastic change from a girl whose head was in the clouds to a mundane woman was distressing to witness. Nevertheless, sometimes you have to swallow a bitter pill. As Dean and Cindy's marriage starts to fall apart terribly, they have to think of Frankie, their little princess. Cindy had promised after all, "for better or for worse." Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/26/25 Full Review Steven N This movie left me staring at the screen in disarray. The story telling of seeing a love story ignite and crumble at the same time shows how gentile love is. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are immaculate. You can really feel their story dissipate and their chemistry really sells it. Outstanding movie and story telling. 10/10. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/21/25 Full Review BJ M I felt miserable after watching this movie. I tried but couldn't find much redeeming value. The ending was just disappointing. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/22/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Blue Valentine

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Movie Info

Synopsis Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) live a quiet life in a modest neighborhood. To the casual observer, everything appears normal, if a bit subdued. But a closer examination reveals a couple caught in a downward spiral. They appear to have the world at their feet at the outset of the relationship. However, his lack of ambition and her retreat into self-absorption cause potentially irreversible cracks in their marriage.
Director
Derek Cianfrance
Producer
Lynette Howell Taylor, Alex Orlovsky, Jamie Patricof
Screenwriter
Derek Cianfrance, Joey Curtis, Cami Delavigne
Distributor
Weinstein Co.
Production Co
Silverwood Films, Hunting Lane
Rating
R (Language|A Beating|Strong Graphic Sexual Content)
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 29, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$9.7M
Runtime
2h 0m
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