Okay, so after all the NC-17 hoopla and some fantastic critical praise, “Blue Valentine” only walked with one Oscar nomination this morning for Michelle Williams (though Ryan Gosling is every bit as deserving as the co-star). No matter, it doesn’t change the fact that the film is one of the rawest depictions of relationship in decline to hit the screen in some time, and if you haven’t seen the film, by all means seek it out. Drive to the next town over if you have to.
But if you have been lucky enough to see it, you know that the film’s emotional wallop doesn’t just come with the last scene of the picture, it continues over the gorgeous closing credit sequence that left this writer an emotional wreck after seeing the movie at Cannes (and it’s a sequence we listed in our 27 Best Moments Onscreen In 2010 feature).. Set to Grizzly Bear‘s “Alligator (Choir Version),” fireworks explode over snapshots of happier times in the couple’s relationship. And while you sort of need the set up to feel the true weight of the sequence, it’s still pretty devastating and quite beautiful.
Check it out below while you can (we imagine somebody will pull it down soon enough). And when will the last five minutes or so of the equally wrenching “I Am Love” hits the web? That deserves to be arthouse viral bait as well.
