Dean and Cindy live a quiet life in a modest neighborhood. They appear to have the world at their feet at the outset of the relationship. However, his lack of ambition and her retreat into self-absorption cause potentially irreversible cracks in their marriage.
Ryan Gosling
Dean
Michelle Williams
Cindy
John Doman
Jerry
Mike Vogel
Bobby
Ben Shenkman
Dr. Feinberg
Jen Jones
Gramma
Maryann Plunkett
Glenda
Faith Wladyka
Frankie
Marshall Johnson
Marshall
James Benatti
Jamie
Barbara Troy
Jo
Carey Westbrook
Charley
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
Melvin Jurdem
Old Man
Alan Malkin
Cab Driver
Derik Belanger
Tony
Isabella Frigoletto
Child #1
Madison Ledergerber
Child #2
Jaimie Jensen
Pregnant Woman
Joseph Basile
Warehouse Mover (uncredited)
Ian Bonner
Room Service Guy (uncredited)
Robert Eckard
Father (uncredited)
Corey Sullivan
Jake (uncredited)
Director, Writer
Derek Cianfrance
Writer
Cami Delavigne
Writer
Joey Curtis
July 6, 2022
7
**It is a discreet film, which can go unnoticed, but very intense, realistic, believable and that can be difficult to see for many people.**
Romantic dramas aren't exactly my favorite type of film, but I recognize the quality of work done in this film, and the skill of director Derek Cianfrance. In almost every way, this film was a labor of love, drawing heavily on the director's personal experience who, as a young man, witnessed his parents' divorce. Although the film has a name that reminds us of the rosier side of love, the film actually does a very detailed dissection of a relationship, from beginning to end.
I can even agree if someone tells me that this film is not for everyone: it is a dense film, something slow, there are very monotonous passages, dialogues that seem to be there just to fill time, but that actually help us to understand the personality and way of acting of the two elements of the couple. In addition, the film does not have a linear narrative, making several setbacks and temporal advances, in order to intersperse the past and the present, showing us the evolution of the relationship and, also, its wear and tear. It's not a nice movie or easy to watch, and in large part this is due to the authenticity of what we see. That couple could be our neighbor, or one of us. It is a film that, for many people, can evoke painful memories of past and present courtships and marriages.
I really enjoyed the interpretation of Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. Both actors were fully committed to the work, built a powerful chemistry and partnership, they are largely the soul of the film. Gosling played a romantic who absolutely believes in love and seems willing to do anything to try to make their marriage work. He's passionate, absolute and enthusiastic, the kind of man who doesn't mind taking risks, and has the self-confidence to run after the ones he loves. Williams made her character more reserved, tough, a little defensive, but full of personality and inner strength. Moreover, the actress would get an Oscar nomination for Best Actress with this work.
The film has a very well executed cinematography, excellent editing work and good production values. It's not a flashy film, it will surely go unnoticed by many people, and in fact it's not a perfect film or totally likable, but it's interesting, it's intense, and if we give it a chance, it's impossible not to feel sympathy for the characters. and suffer with the difficulties they go through.