Considered to be a rather idiosyncratic film of the times, Blue Valentine is a heartbreaking tale of crumbling romance and marriage. Be it in terms of cinematography, colour palette or just the narrative, it maintains a distinctive progression throughout. The film starts with an introduction to an awkward marriage between Cindy and Dean (wife and husband) which is backed by a rather eerie ambiance that intensifies the frosty emotions. In the first half of the film, the audience might struggle to grasp why the wife is offbeat and unresponsive to the husband’s affection, but soon after, they start giving away the plot in bits and parts. In a stifling tale of dying romance and a toxic marriage, Cianfrance focuses on the important questions- why do marriages fail? Is there a single partner to blame? When do you start reading the signs? Is it important to cut cords at the right time or sit in delusion of a happy ending?

The film follows a non-linear narrative, toggling back and forth in time to reveal the romance and courtship period of Dean and Cindy. It is almost like the characters are trying to recall what went wrong between them and when. And through the lengths of it, in the past and present, there are festering arguments that subtly direct the audiences to the core cause of the repulsion and the marriage falling apart. Simple arguments like the running away of the pet dog or Cindy’s cold attitude over breakfast or her disinterest for a getaway with her husband, all have underlying tones of resent and discontentment. Both the characters overbear flaws which they both accept as well. And no matter what the situation was, at the time when they got married, or at present, the writers make it clear that no one can be singularly blamed for the failed marriage. Having said that, guilt is still the overhanging emotion throughout the film.

No doubt that Blue Valentine is heart wrenching and will leave you teary eyed and heavy hearted by the end of it, but it definitely has its redeeming moments. Moments where your heart will melt and will fill up with the emotions Dean and Cindy shared with each other. One such scene is the hospital scene where Dean and Cindy had a huge argument but by the end she leaves with Dean. Or the kitchen scene where Dean repeatedly confesses how much he loves Cindy even though they were fighting. The film advances towards an open end where the audience is left to answer the raised questions on their own. Although it is a little distressing and moving (maybe, a lot), we can promise you Blue Valentine is definitely a devastatingly real, extremely raw and a horribly good watch.

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