5-year-old Frankie Periera (Faith Wladyka) is daddy's girl. Daddy is Dean (Ryan Gosling), mother is Cindy (Michelle Williams). The family dog has gone missing overnight. It's Frankie's singing class performance in the afternoon. En route, Cindy finds the dog's dead body by the side of the road.

Cindy can't take the marriage any more - it's become a load pressing down on her. Her boss, dirty doctor Sam Feinberg (Ben Shenkman), would like to press down on her too, as would her former high school violent jock boyfriend Bobby (Mike Vogel). Her father Jerry Heller (John Doman) is old now and on oxygen. While she was growing up, Cindy regularly witnessed his violence - smashing crockery and shouting rather than physical abuse - towards her cowed and reluctantly accepting mother (Maryann Plunkett); as did her grandmother (Jen Jones) who lived with them.

Dean loves Frankie and Cindy. He didn't set out to be a father and husband, but both roles found him, and they are what he wants. He is non-violent, and adores both his daughter and wife. He takes whatever Cindy says, twists it, and says it back to, making her statements into ironic questions, a kind of psychological torture. Although his love is genuine, it contains manipulation and elements of obsession.

The burial of the dead dog begins a rexamination of their past. In flashback, Cindy re-views her life. Dean is a handsome man in his first job working for Steinway Removals. He moves an old man to the care home where Cindy's grandmother lives, chats up Cindy, and eventually meets her properly. She is getting rid of savage Bobby. Relentless, affectionate quirky Dean woos her. She becomes pregnant, and isn't sure by whom. She tells Dean this, honestly - and decides to have an abortion. Her questioning by medical staff reveals unexexpected details. At the last minute (in a harrowing medical scene) she opts to have her baby. It's because of the security and love Dean shows her. They marry, the baby is Frankie, and Dean brings her up as his own - it's not revealed if she is. Bobby, a maelstrom of brutality, sets out for revenge.

It's clear that from her upbringing, Cindy is drawn to violent men; and she's drawn to non-violent Dean as the opposite. On the other hand she seems to provoke him to be violent as if, as he puts it, that's how she expects a man to behave. He won't play her game. But he manipulates her, pulling words out of her, bending them round, forcing them back to her. They resemble most two weary boxers, pulling each other together the better to engage in combat before they collapse.

Derek Cianfrance directs a remarkable script written by himself, Joey Curtis and Cami Delavigne, which is anchored by mesmeric perfomances from Ryan Gosling (Dean), Michelle Williams (Cindy) and Faith Wladyka (daughter Frankie). It is a depressing story of the internal structure of a relationship tearing itself to useless fragments. Definitely not a date movie, except for masochists, it's an outstanding searing look at two real human beings in the endgame of their love. Neither is evil; neither is much to blame; each is facing her and his frustrations at life; each is a loving parent; each is flawed, and no more nor less than anyone else. It's an extraordinary study of ordinary people; an unusual film in that each minute counts: and each line of dialogue invites empathy. There is no satire nor caricature: Blue Valentine is a savage, wounding, super-realistically-observed drama. It is painfully distressing. There is no hope in it. Every character is a casualty.

Cast Credits: Ryan Gosling - Dean. Michelle Williams - Cindy. Faith Wladyka - Frankie Periera. John Doman - Jerry. Mike Vogel - Bobby. Marshall Johnson - Marshall. Jen Jones - Gramma. Maryann Plunkett - Glenda. James Benatti - Jamie. Barbara Troy - Jo. Carey Westbrook - Charley. Ben Shenkman - Dr Feinberg. Eileen Rosen - Mimi. Enid Graham - Professor. Ashley Gurnari - Checker. Jack Parshutich - Billy. Samii Ryan - Amanda. Mark Benginia - Concierge. Timothy Liveright - Doctor. Tamara Torres - Maria. Robert Russell - Justice of the Peace. Michelle Nagy - Music Teacher. Felicia Reid - Nurse. Mel Jurdem - Old Man. Alan Malkin - Cab Driver. Derik Belanger - Tony. Isabella Frigoletto - Child #1. Madison Ledergerber - Child #2. Jaimie Jensen - Pregnant Woman. Source: Producer's notes at 11 October 2010.

Music Credits: Additional Music By - Matt Sweeney. Unicorn Tears - Written and Performed by Ryan Gosling. I Cant Stop Thinking About It - Written by Mick Collins; Performed by the Dirtbombs; Courtesy of in the Red Records. We Belong - Written by David Eric Lowen & Daniel Anthony Navarro; Performed by Pat Benetar; Courtesy of Capitol Records; Under License from Emi Film & Television Music. Granny Diner - Written and Performed by Grizzly Bear; Courtesy of Warp Records. In Ear Park - Written by Daniel Rossen & Fred Nicolaus; Performed by Department of Eagles; Courtesy of 4AD Limited. Smoking Gun Bleeding Knives - Written and Performed by Ryan Gosling. Easier - Written and Performed by Grizzly Bear; Courtesy of Warp Records. Lullaby - Written and Performed by Grizzly Bear; Courtesy of Warp Records. At the Drop of the Day - Composed by Matt Sweeney, Peter Raeburn And Nick Foster; Performed by Matt Sweeney, Peter Raeburn And Nick Foster; Courtesy of Soundtree Music Limited. North Haven - Written and Performed by Matt Sweeney & Bjorn Yttling. Dory - Written and Performed by Grizzly Bear; Courtesy of Warp Records. You Always Hurt the Ones You Love - Written by Doris Fisher & Allan Roberts; Performed by Ryan Gosling. You and Me - Written by Penny Johnson; Performed by Penny & the Quarters; Courtesy of the Numero Group; By Arrangement with Bank Robber Music. I Live with You - Written and Performed by Grizzly Bear; Courtesy of Warp Records. Foreground - Written and Performed by Grizzly Bear; Courtesy of Warp Records. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - Written by Otto Harbach & Jerome Kern; Performed by the Platters; Courtesy of the Island Def Jam Music Group; Under License from Universal Music Enterprises. Shift (Alternate Version) - Written and Performed by Grizzly Bear; Courtesy of Warp Records. Alligator (Choir Version) - Written and Performed by Grizzly Bear; Courtesy of Warp Records. Background Music By - Linus Huey. Background Music By - Robert Bluemke. Source: Producer's notes at 11 October 2010.

Company Credits: Director - Derek Cianfrance. Writer - Derek Cianfrance. Writer - Joey Curtis. Writer - Cami Delavigne. Producer - Jamie Patricof. Producer - Lynette Howell. Producer - Alex Orlovsky. Executive Producer - Doug Dey. Executive Producer - Jack Lechner. Executive Producer - Scott Osman. Executive Producer - Ryan Gosling. Executive Producer - Michelle Williams. Co-producer - Carrie Fix. Cinematographer - Andrij Parekh. Editor - Jim Helton. Editor - Ron Patane. Production Designer - Inbal Weinberg. Costume Designer - Erin Benach. Music By - Grizzly Bear. Music Supervisor - Joe Rudge. Casting By - Cindy Tolan. Casting By - John Doman. Casting By - Mike Vogel. Casting By - Ben Shenkman. Casting By - Jen Jones. Casting By - Maryann Plunkett. Introducing - Faith Wladyka. Unit Production Manager - Carrie Fix. First Assistant Director - Mariela Comitini. Second Assistant Director - Brad Robinson. Co Executive Producer - - Cassian Elwes. Co Executive Producer - Rena Ronson. Extra Special Thanks - Shannon Plumb. Extra Special Thanks - Anthony Howard. Los Angeles Casting Consultant - Richard Hicks CSA. Los Angeles Casting Consultant - David Rubin CSA. Incentive Filmed Entertainment Executive - Noel Lohr. Incentive Filmed Entertainment Executive - Kool Marder. Incentive Filmed Entertainment Executive - Steven Smith. Production Supervisor - Nicola Westermann. Script Supervisor - Tony Osso. Set Decorator - Jasmine Ballou. Leadman - - Erik Boring. On Set Dresser - Jamie Arbuckle. Set Dresser - Eddie Decurtis. Set Dresser - Greg Kochan. Set Dresser - Jeffrey Jones. Scenic Painter - Millree Hughes. Scenic Painter - Thomas M.southern. Original Set Dressing - Maureen Cassidy. Photographer - Andrea Killam. Photographer - Anneke Schoneveld. Camera Operator - Oliver Cary. 1st Assistant "A" Camera - Ludovic Littee. 2nd Assistant Camera / 1st Assistant "B" Camera - Spencer Gillis. Loader / 2nd Assistant Camera - James Daly. Additional 1st Assistant "B" Camera - Kate Larose. Dit Technician - Ian Bloom. Additional Dit Technician - Alonso Homs. Dit Assistant - John Valkos. Still Photographer - Davi Russo. Gaffer "Present" - Nina Kuhn. Gaffer "Past" - Radium Cheung. Best Boy Electric - Marty Hechinger. Key Grip - Mike Mervilde. Grip - David Briggs. Grip - John Gabriele. Make Up Department Head - Leo Won. Prosthetic Makeup Designer - Mike Marino. Hair Department Head - Bobby Diehl. Wardrobe Supervisor - Shelby Saboy. Key Set Costumer - Rachel Ohman. Assistant Costume Designer - Stephani Lewis. Wardrobe Assistant - Sandra Riedel. Property Master - Max Sherwood. Assistant Property Master - Richard Peete. Sound Mixer - Damian Elias Canelos. Boom Operator "Present" - Seth Tallman. Boom Operator "Past" - Vince Reed Camuto. Sound Utility "Present" - Eric Walendzinski. Production Office Coordinator - Holly Pilch. Production Secretary - Morgan Newell. Office Production Assistant - Scott Haven. Silverwood Films Production Executive - Nissa Ren Cannon. Assistant to Silverwood Films - Crystal Powell. Assistant to Hunting Lane Films - Katie Mcneill. Incentive Production Supervisor - Ben Pomeroy. Assistant to Ryan Gosling - Georgia Harris. Assistant to Michelle Williams - Jared Kaufmann. Production Accountant - Josh Bell. 1st Assistant Accountant - Albert Valera. Additional 1st Assistant Accountant - Marilou Vetter. Payroll Accountant - Nicole A Cotton. Location Manager - Marshall Johnson. Assistant Location Manager - Jared Uhrich. Location Coordinator - Jenny Sonnenfeld. Location Scout - Chris Tomeo. Additional Location Scout - John Stefanic. Additional Location Scout - Jay Abbondanza. Additional Art Director - Chris Potter. Art Department Coordinator - Rachel Jones. Assistant Art Coordinator - Bridget Rafferty. Art Department Assistant - Jesse Getchell. Art Department Assistant - Robin Garland. Ultrasound Consultant - Robert Cedzo. Stunt Coordinator - Manny Siverio. Stunt Coordinator - Blaise Corrigan. Special Fx Coordinator - Drew Jiritano. Special Fx Best Boy - Stephanie Finochio. Special Fx 3rd - Jan Dowdy. First Assistant Director - Adam Escott. Set Assistant - Tracy L Connors. Additional Set Assistant - Bobby Kennedy. Key Set Production Assistant - David M. Vogel. Set Production Assistant - Dave M. Jennis. Set Production Assistant - Jonathan Mckeown. Set Production Assistant - Barrant Nelson. Set Production Assistant - Jonathan Rodriguez. Set Production Assistant - Ashley Sawyer. Set Production Assistant - Ethan Weinstock. Set Production Assistant - Lucy Patrick Ward. Set Production Assistant - Jeremy Zerechak. Set Medic - Lisa Caracciola. Set Medic - Joseph Scotchless. EMT - Andrew Carr. Transportation Captain, Scranton - Mike Sedock. Driver, Scranton - Richie Clarkson. Driver, Scranton - William Metzger. Driver, Scranton - James Ware. Driver, New York - Gary Valovich. Driver, New York - Vic Meich. Driver, New York - Tom Crehan. Transportation Captain, King of Prussia - Don Sabara. Driver, King of Prussia - Patrick J Kelly. Casting Associate - Adam Caldwell, CSA. Extras Casting - Heery Casting. Extras Casting - Diane Heery. Catering - Realms of Catering. Head Chef - Jeffrey Francer. Assistant Chef - Mark Davis. Craft Service - Pat Mahoney. Interns - Tricia Fawls . Interns - Jaclyn Gerowski. Interns - Leighana Ginther. Interns - Megan Hughes. Interns - Jessie Katz . Interns - Stephanie Lora. Interns - Steve Longo . Interns - Sarah Semlear. Interns - Caylee Sender . Interns - Caesar Rivera Jr.. Interns - Stephanie Webber. Production Legal - Surpin & Mayersohn, LLP. Attorney - Paul Mayersohn. Attorney - Mona Shokrai. Production Insurance - Dewitt Stern Group. Bond Provided By - Film Finances, Inc. Payroll Company - Entertainment Partners. Financial Services - Citibank. Medical Services - Dr Louis Katz. Script Clearance Research - Clearance Domain. Camera Equipment - Arri/CSC. Camera Equipment - Eye Bloom. Grip & Electric Equipment - Eastern Effects. Picture Vehicles - Chrysler. Production Vehicles - Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Walkie Talkies - Sync Speed. Post-Production Supervisor - Mike Harrop. Assistant Editor - William Lehman. Post Production Assistant - Christine No. Color By - Technicolor New York. Dailies Advisor - Joey Violante. Dailies Colorist - Sam Daley. Dailies Project Manager - Kristyn Di Pane. Digital Intermediate - Technicolor New York. Digital Intermediary Colorist - Tim Stipan. Digital Intermediary Producer - Dana Bloder. Smoke Artist - Jessica Allen Elvin. Smoke Artist - Jay Tilin. Smoke Artist - Di Engineer . Smoke Artist - Michael P Whipple. Data Manager - Andrew Still. Di Executive Producer - Barbara Jean Kearney. Title Sequence by - Jim Helton. Title Design - Charles Christopher Rubino. End Crawl - Ditlev Films,. End Crawl - Christian Bruun. Post Production Sound Services - Sound Lounge. Sound Designer - Dan Flosdorf. Supervising Dialogue Editor - Evan Benjamin. Recordist - Steve "Major" Giammaria. Audio Post Supervisor - Travis Call. Supervising Re-recording Mixer - Cory Melious. Re-recording Mixer - Tony Volante. Foley Artist - Sebastian Henshaw. Artwork Provided By: Dell Computers; Medifast, Inc; Dunkin Donuts - Norm Marshall; Motion Picture Magic; Feature This!; Multimedia Group; Google.com; Nokia - Propaganda Global Entertainment; Graco - Coyne PR; Paul Mantell Studios; Greater Philly Film Office; Pet Door Design, Inc; Hand Prop Room; Pepperidge Farm - Premier Entertainment; Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.; Pepsi; Kraft; Powell Studio; Langers Juice - Motion Picture; Phillips Healthcare Lifeway - SOTC; Maureen Cassidy Photographers; Phillips Healthcare - IU22 Ultrasound System; Waste Management - Upp Entertainment Marketing. Wardrobe Provided By - Bumble and Bumble; Frye; Carhartt; Hurley; Clarks; Independent Film Project; Dominics Tailoring; Helen Uffner Vintage; Faryl Robin; Keds; Me and Ro; LNA; Paige Denim; Martin + OSA. Make-up Provided By - Mac. The Filmmakers Wish To Thank: Erica Andrew; Gypsy; Bingham Ray; Mario Badescu; Alan & Elizabeth Howell; Felicia Reid; Michelle Bannon ; Lorraine Howell ; Jeremy Renner; Peter Basich ; Kirt Gunn ; Sarah Richmond; Steven Beer ; Martin Henderson ; Stephanie Ritz; Kenneth K. Martinez Burgmaier ; Jon Kamen ; John Robinson; Susan Boehm ; Olivier Katz ; Justice Robert Russell; Michelle Byrd ; Emilie Klenk ; Jane Saul; Gary Cianfrance ; Frederic King, Fountainhead Films; Madonna Savage; Janice Cianfrance ; David Kopple ; Kelly Sawyer; Jason & Jen Cianfrance ; Andrea Marcaccio ; Frank Scherma; Joslyn & Jade Cianfrance ; Tony Menuto ; Greta Secat; Megan Cianfrance ; Sig De Miguel & Stephen Vincent ; Scott Speedman; Rita Cianfrance; Rachel Mikolyski ; Phil Solomon; Walker & Cody Cianfrance ; Susan Muir ; Ami Kay Spishock; Dan Cogan ; Forrest Murray ; Jake Septimus; Kim Custer ; Katie Mustard ; Jai Stephan; Michael Davis ; Kim Neeley ; Corey Sullivan; Jerome Duboz ; Chizuko Niikawa-helton ; Graham Taylor; Ilene Feldman ; Barbara & Dan Orlovsky ; Mike Tillman; Jack Finnerty ; Susan & Alan Patricof ; Gail Tucker; Craig Gering ; Riley & Sawyer Patricof ; Victoria Vater; Cindy Gillen ; Jean Pesce ; Rachael Weisz; Carolyn Govers ; Hylda Queally ; Keith Zimmerman. Special Thanks To: All-PAC, Inc; Planned Parenthood; City of Carbondale, Pa; Prompton Fire & Rescue; Community Medical Healthcare System; Radisson Valley Forge; Corporal Danny Martin & the Wayne County ; State Troopers; Steinway Moving & Storage; Donna Labarr & the Wayne County ; Chamber of Commerce; The Borough of Honesdale; Dunkin Donuts; The Borough of Prompton; Gail Tucker & the Greater Honesdale Partnership; The City of Scranton, Pa; Independent Film Project; The Wayne Delaware Manor; Jack Finnerty & the Scranton Public Library ; Topp Business Solutions; New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, ; Television & Broadcasting ; University of Scranton; Pennsylvania Film Commission; Wayne County Commissioner’s Office; Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; Wayne Memorial Health Systems. Producer Notes: Wme Global Finance and Distribution Group. Filmed on Location at the Clarks Summit Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits Store with permission of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Filmed on Location in Scranton, Pa, King of Prussia, Pa & New York City, NY. This Project Was Made Possible with the Support of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Film Office. - In Association with @radicalmedia. - Winner of the Chrysler Film Project. - Property of Hamilton Film Productions, LLC. Company - Incentive Filmed Entertainment. Company - Silverwood Films. Company - Hunting Lane Films. Company - Chrysler. Company - Shade Pictures. Company - Motel Movies. Company - Cottage Industries. Source: Producer's notes at 11 October 2010.

END

John Park

reviewed Monday 11 October 2010 / Press screening / NFT2, National Film Theatre, London UK

NOTE: Imdb.com page reference is www.imdb.com/title/tt1120985/

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