I can't help but to compare this film with The Notebook not only because it stars Ryan Gosling but also because it also takes a different interpretation of what fighting for one's love and relationship for someone else that exists - albeit in passing - in The Notebook.
This film goes into the gritty realities of what relationships are really like in contrast with many other films under the romance banner which are more idealistic and have more of a place in fantasy than in reality. Blue Valentine paints an incredibly interesting picture of the relationship that exists between the two leading characters. Both of them love each other, but come to that end in completely different ways that don't go communicated. There is a line Gosling's character says in one of the flashback sequences which sort of foreshadows the later events of the film and ultimately the fate of their relationship.
Blue Valentine relies heavily on interlacing present day events with past events through seamlessly integrated flashback sequences. They are so seamlessly switched between that, if you're not paying attention, you might find it a little confusing and slightly difficult to follow, however, it is easy to catch on to and the confusion is - at least should be - momentary. I didn't have much of an issue with them, myself.
Blue Valentine is probably among the most believable romance films ever made, but it should not be something you go in expecting to be feel-good. This is not lighthearted date night window dressing you put on while on a date to help set any particular mood unless its one of introspection and reconsideration - which will probably kill your whole night. Unless you are interested in film, I would recommend seeing this film outside the context of a date unless you're ready to have the kind of discussion this film tries to get out of you.
This film goes into the gritty realities of what relationships are really like in contrast with many other films under the romance banner which are more idealistic and have more of a place in fantasy than in reality. Blue Valentine paints an incredibly interesting picture of the relationship that exists between the two leading characters. Both of them love each other, but come to that end in completely different ways that don't go communicated. There is a line Gosling's character says in one of the flashback sequences which sort of foreshadows the later events of the film and ultimately the fate of their relationship.
Blue Valentine relies heavily on interlacing present day events with past events through seamlessly integrated flashback sequences. They are so seamlessly switched between that, if you're not paying attention, you might find it a little confusing and slightly difficult to follow, however, it is easy to catch on to and the confusion is - at least should be - momentary. I didn't have much of an issue with them, myself.
Blue Valentine is probably among the most believable romance films ever made, but it should not be something you go in expecting to be feel-good. This is not lighthearted date night window dressing you put on while on a date to help set any particular mood unless its one of introspection and reconsideration - which will probably kill your whole night. Unless you are interested in film, I would recommend seeing this film outside the context of a date unless you're ready to have the kind of discussion this film tries to get out of you.