<\/a>Co-written by Cianfrance, Cami Delavigne and Joey Curtis, the script manages to avoid the clunking clich\u00e9s that can haunt mainstream relationship movies.<\/p>\nNot only does it contain telling details that reveal much about the characters, it also significantly leaves room for speculation as to what happened in the intervening years.<\/p>\n
Cianfrance and DP Andrij Parekh also shoot scenes with a vivid sense of being in the room with these characters. At times the effect can be claustrophobic, but it heightens the drama without resorting to cheap theatrics.<\/p>\n
But what really gives Blue Valentine added kick is the two lead performances: Gosling is a convincing as a genuinely decent man, whose lack of ambition and devotion to his young daughter (Faith Wladyka), make him a bad husband but a good father.<\/p>\n
Williams in some ways has the harder role, as a frustrated wife pushing for change but finding herself increasingly isolated in her wants and desires. Together, they form a completely believable couple in both sections of the film.<\/p>\n
The almost total lack of false beats in their scenes together seems like a product of Cianfrance giving his actors room to improvise and feel like awkward, real people instead of puppets controlled by a screenwriter.<\/p>\n
One of the most astute elements of the film is the way in which it depicts the snowballing conflicts in a crumbling relationship, when innocent words and actions quickly become weapons seized upon by the frustrated parties.<\/p>\n