In Blue Valentine, a crushing love/loss story about a couple who grows apart over the course of a five year marriage, ambition seems to be the breaking point for Michelle Williams' character. Without the gritty intensity, this could be the hipster sequel to Knocked Up. Bright and driven, but perhaps depressed and directionless girl, gets pregnant, without support. Decides to bunk up with nearby hapless romantic, who promises to be by her side through the whole ordeal. Unfortunately, after several sweet but unsatisfying years, the reality sets in, and her aspirations loom and threaten her marriage. Meanwhile, her partner seems to be content with status quo. This divide is the breaking point. Blue Valentine is so great at capturing the initial courtship/the honeymoon phase of falling in love, and the bitter dregs of things having fallen apart. It also doesn't flinch from showing the brutal, the skeezy, the uncomfortable. Interestingly, it seems to skew the audience toward sympathizing with him, the family man, trying to keep things together in spite of his personal limitations. But I felt differently, wishing things had turned out better for her, that she hadn't been left without options. I never fell in love with Ryan Gosling's character, I felt for him, that this wasn't to be and he couldn't come to terms with that. He had to be shown the door, and doesn't know what's behind it. This was the life they both fell into.
I liked so much about this film's intimate character study, and some truly lovely scenes -- the tap dancing in front of the store front, the interior design of the veteran's nursing home room. Both Ryan and Michelle are excellent. I only wish the script had offered Ryan a bit more nuance. But I think it knew what it was after, and was successful at meeting its own potential.
The Fighter is another small/big film, backed by great performances, and relationships. Again, about a family torn apart by failed dreams. A couple (Amy Adams and Mark Wahlberg) that triumph through sticking by each other during the battle uphill. I enjoyed it. Give Christian Bale an Oscar. Moving on...
The Green Hornet is a straightforward action picture. I almost can imagine the conversation that took place during its inception: some dorky guys sitting around (Seth Rogan and his buds) saying, "Wouldn't it be cool if...?!! And he had an Asian side-kick?! Who made killer cars with weapons?! And also cappuccinos?! And Cameron Diaz was in it! But we never know what her deal is? But she's hot! And there are men in suits with accents!" Well, that's what they got. And it's fine. Maybe a little tedious. Derivative. Forced. But, fine.
How could I hate a movie with such beautiful cappuccinos?!
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