Paul Mescal Says This Ryan Gosling Drama Will Ruin Your Day "In the Best Sense of the Word"

In acting, the ability to deeply touch an audience is the ultimate mark of mastery. Not yet thirty years old, Paul Mescal has already become one of the most poignant actors of his generation.

From Normal People to Aftersun, he has built his career on a subtle exploration of human vulnerability.

Paul Mescal Reveals 'Blue Valentine' Is One of the Most Important Movies for Him

It is therefore especially telling that when asked about the movie that most deeply touches him, he named Derek Cianfrance's Blue Valentine, starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.

In an interview with The New Yorker, the actor admitted:

“I've been racking my brain to come up with a different answer. But it hasn't really changed in terms of something that consistently ruins my day in the best sense of the word.”

What Is 'Blue Valentine' About?

Blue Valentine explores the relationship between Dean and Cindy, a married couple on the brink of a final breakup. At one point, we see them as young, passionate lovers – Dean plays the ukulele in the street while Cindy tap dances.

Several years into their marriage, however, they have become strangers, irritated and tired. They are unable to find common ground, even in their attempts to save their marriage.

Rather than offering an answer to what went wrong, the movie forces us to watch something fragile and beautiful slowly crumble under the weight of everyday life, unfulfilled expectations, and silent distance.

'Blue Valentine' Is One of the Most Honest and Heartbreaking Movies About Love

Blue Valentine is not a traditional romantic drama, but rather a sober and wise exploration of how love evolves and sometimes dies, making it especially painful.

Director Derek Cianfrance doesn't judge or blame his characters – he simply shows how life's circumstances, inner demons, and the process of growing up change people.

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams give peerless performances: every glance and pause is filled with unspoken pain and nostalgia, and their performances are devoid of any falsehood.

Blue Valentine reminds us that love isn't just about meeting under the stars, it's also about the quiet, everyday moments when a loved one's unique traits can become a source of irritation.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Blue Valentine'?

• Blue Valentine has 87% from critics and 77% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.3/10.

• On Letterboxd, Blue Valentine scored 3.8/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Blue Valentine'?

Blue Valentine is available to stream on Netflix.