Alfred Hitchcock once described the movie watching experience as the ultimate "voyeur" activity. In his view, there was nothing better than sitting in the dark and watching a story unfold. That's exactly the feeling I had watching Blue Valentine. After spending 114 minutes with its two characters I felt as if I'd been spying on them during the defining day of their relationship.
Valentine is a love story by any measure - love lost and love found. Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) are a husband and wife with a working class lifestyle and a relationship that needs a lot of work.
Director (and co-writer) Derek Cianfrance tells the couple's story through past and present moments in time, so the story doesn't have a clear-cut "beginning," "middle" and "end". We're treated to glimpses of the end at the beginning - the beginning at the end - and a lot of the day-to-day drama that makes up, well, life.
Dean and Cindy are complicated people in an uncomplicated story. He's a blue collar guy and she's a nurse working in a doctor's office. Their relationship is based on taking care of the basic needs of themselves and their pre-school daughter and working out the day-to-day details of modern life. Cleaning house; grocery shopping; and showing up in time to clap for their kid in the school musical.
We're not treated to lengthy speeches about feelings, or dreams or what "could've" been. Instead, we see and feel what they want to say without them having to say a whole lot of anything. When their daughter has a sleepover and Dean insists they spend the night at an "adult" motel (he has a coupon,) you know in your gut it's not going to be the night of nirvana Dean imagines, but you can't imagine how it will unfold.
Blue Valentine is a love story that's intimate and honest and open for inspection from every possible angle. It can be gritty and raw and sweet and funny all in the same scene. You may laugh, cry or wince, but one thing is certain. Like any good voyeur, you won't be able to look away.
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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