Blue Valentine

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Blue Valentine

R

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

Feb 6, 2018

See it for [Ryan] Gosling and [Michelle] Williams, but be advised: if you take a date, you'll be sorry.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 9, 2017

A+

Williams's beautiful performance is played nicely off Gosling's remarkably vulnerable performance yielding a timeless portrayal of love, romance, agony and despair.

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Laura Kern

Film Comment Magazine

Jun 20, 2013

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.

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Jan 7, 2026

3.5/4

Familiar stories told in new ways define much of the independent cinema landscape. Blue Valentine tries to present a familiar story with a slight alteration to how it’s presented and perhaps it shouldn’t have.

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Nadia Dalimonte

Next Best Picture

May 9, 2024

9/10

The concept of a troubled marriage might be familiar grounds, but the intimate storytelling of “Blue Valentine” feels personal to Cianfrance’s filmmaking style.

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

May 7, 2024

4/5

Blue Valentine gently invites the viewer into their lives.

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Damian

Feb 24, 2026

Good heartfelt story, but unoriginal concept. Good for the most part, could get boring.

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Keith B

@Okbullard Sep 2, 2026

This was an excellent film I've never heard of. Ryan Gosling was great as usual but Michelle Williams was outstanding. I've seen her in many films but never took much notice of her. The older Ryan Gosling looks kind of dorky though I guess that's what they wanted.I think the time shifting was effective in this though I usually don't care for that technique in a film. Give it a watch, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

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Junior S.

@RT39899143 May 14, 2026

Gripping performances and a wonderful decision to tell the story in a non-linear fashion elevate this slice of life relationship story to top tier. The camera work and framing also add to its realism.

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Mickey B.

@Mickerdoo Apr 23, 2026

Well acted, directed and written. But just such a bummer and almost too real at times. Liked the younger story, but the older shreds you.

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Drew M.

@Stonehands211 Apr 4, 2026

A personal favorite of mine. The older I get and the more rewatches I have of it, the more I appreciate Michelle Williams performance and her characters tribulations. Movie is so frickin’ raw and great. Can’t believe it wasn’t nominated for editing too..

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addisyn M

@RT64969617 Mar 26, 2026

This movie portrays exactly what I fear in the mere future with my love life, it Is insanely beautiful. Although i'm mad as hell rn and crying.

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Derek Cianfrance

Director

Ryan Gosling

Dean

Michelle Williams

Cindy

Faith Wladyka

Frankie

John Doman

Jerry Heller

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Blue Valentine: Trailer 1

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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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