I saw Blue Valentine last night. I loved it.  I was about to say it was probably my favorite movie I saw this year, but then I remembered it’s 2011 and it’s actually the ONLY movie I’ve seen this year.  But yeah, if we’re counting 2010+, then yes, it was still the best. I’m going to talk about the movie, but I’m going to try to avoid any spoilers beyond the basic overall plot of the movie that I think everyone probably knows at this point. The movie covers a relationship from start to finish(?), but mixing the present with the past, so that you get a completely non-linear story of how they meet, how they got to where they are now, etc. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams’ acting was truly amazing.  To play themselves at different ages, with different goals/ideals, and to make each part of it completely believable was really impressive.  But the cinematography helped a lot too - the present-day shot in digital with a lot of blue tones and the flashbacks shot with warmer tones on film. The big buzz among my friends about this movie centered around  “don’t go see this movie with your significant other”.  I guess the thought being that this movie deals with some harsh realities about falling out of love… that the overarching message was that all love eventually falters.  I didn’t really come away feeling that though.  The movie deals with those themes, for sure, but it always felt very localized around these two characters.  Their love failed.  And the story just sticks to that. So, to my friends, I’d say don’t worry too much about that unless you’re already on some rocky ground.  Also, DEFINITELY don’t see this movie with someone on a first date or something as there is some pretty intense nudity/sex scenes.  Awkwaaaard. But yeah, go see it.  Alone, with your significant other, with your neighbor.  It’s really good.

I saw Blue Valentine last night.

I loved it.  I was about to say it was probably my favorite movie I saw this year, but then I remembered it’s 2011 and it’s actually the ONLY movie I’ve seen this year.  But yeah, if we’re counting 2010+, then yes, it was still the best.

I’m going to talk about the movie, but I’m going to try to avoid any spoilers beyond the basic overall plot of the movie that I think everyone probably knows at this point.

The movie covers a relationship from start to finish(?), but mixing the present with the past, so that you get a completely non-linear story of how they meet, how they got to where they are now, etc.

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams’ acting was truly amazing.  To play themselves at different ages, with different goals/ideals, and to make each part of it completely believable was really impressive.  But the cinematography helped a lot too - the present-day shot in digital with a lot of blue tones and the flashbacks shot with warmer tones on film.

The big buzz among my friends about this movie centered around  “don’t go see this movie with your significant other”.  I guess the thought being that this movie deals with some harsh realities about falling out of love… that the overarching message was that all love eventually falters.  I didn’t really come away feeling that though.  The movie deals with those themes, for sure, but it always felt very localized around these two characters.  Their love failed.  And the story just sticks to that.

So, to my friends, I’d say don’t worry too much about that unless you’re already on some rocky ground.  Also, DEFINITELY don’t see this movie with someone on a first date or something as there is some pretty intense nudity/sex scenes.  Awkwaaaard.

But yeah, go see it.  Alone, with your significant other, with your neighbor.  It’s really good.