Blue Valentine: the rollercoaster of life bringing John Cassavetes to mind.
25 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Film Tags: Blue Valentine, Francois Ozon, Michelle Williams, nominations, Ryan Gosling, you and me
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams
Perhaps Derek Cianfrance is a disciple of the likes of Francois Ozon. This was my first impression when I read the outline of Blue Valentine, as it clearly reminded me one of my favourite films: 5×2 (2004). Blue Valentine differs from the events portrayed in Ozon’s piece as the American film captures the essence of a film narrative through the emotional heft coming from both the individual characters of the film and the relationship of marriage itself. In other words Blue Valentine’s performances carry the film forward.
The film is reminiscent of the handheld camera used in the films of John Cassavettes, which had the purpose to enhance a closer look of realism. Blue Valentine then is self-referential as it deals with the realistic depiction of the transitory feeling of love. It may sound like an undesirable ordeal to experience in the cinema, but what makes Blue Valentine so refreshing and rewarding is the brave and earnest insight it provides into dysfunctional marriages — which, sadly enough, seem all too constant nowadays — and the wicked face of love that Hollywood typically shuns. Rather ironically, this is a face that Hollywood itself helped carve with its maudlin chick-flick chisel. The constrained present in the film is then contrasted as the pendulum swings back to the early days, the enchantment and romance — accompanied by music by Grizzly Bear — brews ardently. It’s difficult to believe that the characters’ two sides represent the same people.
The music and the depiction of a story that develops in a small town conveys the idea of the film as being rooted in an Americana tale of existence. Ryan Gosling is perfect as an eternal romantic and I think, in this sense, the character creates more sympathy towards the audience than the-shy- but- feisty Cindy does. Perhaps, this is because the film is written from a male perspective (yes, I know I’m putting Gender Studies here).
Both shot on 16 mm and the red, Blue Valentine is the treasure meticulously carved by his master. After all the effort of 12 years made by Cianfrance, has proved to be a worth watching masterpiece.
For the meantime, I’ll leave you guys with the trailer of Ozon’s 5×2.
