Blue Valentine takes you on an emotional journey, showing you the many highs and lows of a young married couple barely getting by emotionally. The story, beginning near the end of their relationship, is told in a non-linear fashion, which is incredibly compelling. With the erratic nature of the timeline, director Derek Cianfrance is able to contrast moments of beauty and heartbreak, which prevents the film from becoming overly sentimental.

In one emotionally charged sequence, a tearful Cindy arrives late to her daughter’s school recital. Something tragic has happened and she is in pain. Nevertheless, an unsupportive Dean blames and lectures her. In the scene, we see them at their most vulnerable and in Dean’s case, most hurtful.

As juxtaposition, one incredibly inspired moment has Dean playing a ukulele and singing, “You Only Hurt the Ones You Love” while Cindy does an awkward tap-dance routine. In this moment, we see they are clearly in love, no matter how much it may look otherwise. There is a refreshing honesty to this: sorrow and joy are equally explored throughout the film, so by the end there is no question why they are together.

With Blue Valentine, Cianfrance has created one of the most fascinating and publicized sequences of an adult relationship in years (one which earned the film an NC-17, until it was brought down to an R-rating after the studio appealed). Despite a desperate attempt to rekindle their passion at a romantic theme motel, the couple finds that the mood of their “outer space themed room” only seems to complicate things more. The scene then begs the question: How do you reconnect with someone who has already pulled away from you?

Blue Valentine is like a sad, sad song that you can’t get out of your head. You know it’ll make you cry and possibly bring up painful memories, but you have to hear it. Valentine captures the elements of romance and relationships with clarity and candor, making it a must see for anyone who has ever fallen in or out of love.

Blue Valentine opens this Wednesday, December 29.

Are you looking forward to Blue Valentine?