Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Blue Valentine

Play trailer 1:45 Poster for Blue Valentine R Released Dec 29, 2010 2h 0m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
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.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine

What to Know

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (211)
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

View All (1000+)
Allan C Well-told but dreary tale of a marriage unraveling Blue Valentine (2010) **** This is one of those movies I appreciate, but did not really enjoy. The film documents a disintegrating marriage between Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling, told through time-jumps to different points in their relationship, from their initial courtship, to when they have a child, to the eventual dissolution of their marriage. Williams and Gosling both give fantastic performances, particularly Williams, and director, co-writer Derek Cianfrance gives the film a Cinema vérité feel, where it’s as if you’re a fly on the wall peeking in on these people’s lives. However, as well drawn as these characters are, as good as the performances are, and as well crafted a story the film tells, it’s kind of a miserable film to watch. It’s reminded me of DANCER IN THE DARK, where it’s a brilliant film, but is so unpleasant that I’ll probably never watch it again. College-aged-Allan was much more into this sort of art house kitchen sink realism, but the older I get, the more I simply want to be entertained and have a lower tolerance for art house endurance tests. But then again, I just watched BUFFALO 66, a total kitchen sink type of film, for the first time last year and absolutely loved it! However, that film wasn’t a bummer of a movie like this one. Overall, BLUE VALENTINE is worth watching, but get ready for some depressing good times.  AI CAPSULE REVIEW: Blue Valentine is a beautifully acted, emotionally raw portrait of a marriage in collapse that’s as artful as it is emotionally draining. It’s a masterclass in performance and realism—but not exactly a fun night at the movies. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/19/25 Full Review Shinnie W Really good, I even should not hold that half a star! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/24/25 Full Review Audience Member really boring movie... Rated 1 out of 5 stars 05/06/25 Full Review Landen D A very sad movie that that shows how much of a struggle marriage can really be. Although what makes it great is that every different viewer can relate to one of the characters rather then the other while still making a strong case in why that character is in the right in the marriage. I also enjoyed how it showed that both characters are very flawed and how that is the reality of not just marriage, but life itself. We can use this movie as an example that we need to try and understand each other more. Overall just a very relatable movie for both ends of the spectrum. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/14/25 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Blue Valentine

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
Last Night 54% 46% Last Night Watchlist Two Lovers 81% 59% Two Lovers Watchlist Chéri 52% 40% Chéri Watchlist Elegy 74% 61% Elegy Watchlist Crazy Heart 90% 76% Crazy Heart Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

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
Most Popular at Home Now