"Studies in filmmaking about birth, death, and the deep complexities along the way of a romantic relationship are many. However, the great power of 'Blue Valentine' lies elsewhere, beyond its painful premise and powerful performances (Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling, both nominated for Golden Globes). Director Derek Cianfrance masterfully employs a non-linear narrative, contrasting the highs and lows of a doomed romantic relationship, achieving maximum emotional impact. It is a realistic - and often brutal - portrait of the life cycle of a romance."