Blue Valentine

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1:45

Blue Valentine

R

Released Dec 29, 2010

2h 0m

Drama

Romance

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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.

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

Blue Valentine gently invites the viewer into their lives.

Rated: 4/5

May 7, 2024

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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

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Shinnie W

Really good, I even should not hold that half a star!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/25

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Audience Member

really boring movie...

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Derek Cianfrance

Director

Ryan Gosling

Dean

Michelle Williams

Cindy

Faith Wladyka

Frankie

John Doman

Jerry Heller

Mike Vogel

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Blue Valentine: Trailer 1

1:45

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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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