Blue Valentine

A romantic drama that follows the intense relationship between a couple who fall passionately in love in their early twenties, and then face challenges to their marriage six years later. Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) are parents of a beloved young daughter, but their relationship has seen better days as they struggle with the demands and expectations of work and family life. At breaking point, but flooded with romantic memories of their courtship, the couple steals away to a hotel; they have one night to try and rekindle their passion, and save their marriage. Deftly pulling between past and present moments in time, Blue Valentine is a raw and subtly-drawn portrait of the ebb and flow of love. Under the assured direction of Derek Cianfrance (who developed the project over a twelve year period), the extraordinary, award-calibre lead performances elevate a universal story to gripping emotional heights. Blue Valentine is also enriched by the contributions of acclaimed cinematographer Andrij Parekh and Brooklyn band Grizzly Bear, who provide an elegiac soundtrack to this intimate, honest and deeply affecting cinema experience. (Palace Films)