Ryan Gosling, star of Blue Valentine
Ryan Gosling stars alongside Michelle Williams this weekend in Blue Valentine, the story of a couple as they make their way through life and the film crosscuts from the beginnings of their marriage to the end. The word "raw" is being thrown around in this films context and both Gosling and Williams are looking like they may get a few award nominations for their portrayal of two doomed lovers. Ryan Gosling is far from being your average leading man, preferring to stay within the indie style of films than the mainstream. His most notable mainstream film was The Notebook alongside Rachel McAdams, a rom-com favourite. This would be his only mainstream film, however, his appearances in Lars and the Real Girl and Half Nelson have earned him respect and adoration amongst critics. Gosling started life in the most unlikely of places, at the Mickey Mouse Club alongside Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. While they opted for poppy rubbish, he focussed mainly on independent films after a run on television popping up in such brilliance as Goosebumps and Are You Afraid Of The Dark? His role in Half Nelson earned him an Oscar nomination as the teacher who befriends his student after she discovers his drug problem. Most of the critics praised Ryan Gosling for his realism and truthfulness to the role. Something which he has carried to all of his films. In Lars and the Real Girl, he plays a man who orders a real-life sex doll and introduces her as though she is a real person. A common theme, as with Half Nelson, is Gosling's ability to bring reality to a role which may be out of the ordinary. He's coming up in Crazy, Stupid, Love alongside Steve Carell and Julianne Moore and also Drive starring alongside Carey Mulligan. If you can't wait until those, Blue Valentine is out this weekend. FemaleFirst - James Butlin
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