Dash Riprock
Master Don Juan
I saw a few posters talk about this movie recently on SS. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are both good actors, so I watched it last night.
My thoughts and review:
The movie is quite good and was up for many awards. Both Gosling and Williams were also nominated multiple times. I won't go into the plot in details, you can read about it or watch the movie. The writers were quite accurate, IMO, about what happens in most marriages and LTRs. They wrote from experience, is my guess.
Some notes:
- I thought Gosling was superb. Was never a huge fan of him, but this movie changed my opinion. I can't help but think at some point he's seen the original Rocky movie (Academy Award for Best Picture 1977), and imitated or channeled Stallone's character, Rocky Balboa. Sans the boxing part, the mannerisms, thinking, speech, attitude, wit, many features of the characters are very similar.
- Williams was very good too. The part that really stuck with me was how appalled and disgusted she was when Dean (Gosling) was trying to make love to her on the floor of the hotel. She gritted her teeth like she just could stand it even though he was trying to be spontaneous and romantic. She just didn’t even want him to touch her. Sinking feeling as he was still very in love with her.
- Gosling is depicted for the most part as the White Knight, marrying Cindy (Williams) after she gets knocked up by another guy. Dean isn’t a p*ussy per se, and he appears to be a really good dad and husband, keeping things light by acting goofy and showing affection to Frankie (kid) and Cindy. BUT, as has been discussed HEAVILY on SS for decades now, he is largely unmotivated with few aspirations. This plus his drinking proves to be his undoing with Cindy. She likely wanted better for her and her daughter. She was a nurse and was likely tired of towing the line the past 5 years.
- There is a part in the movie where Dean is talking to a co-worker. He comments that women are always pursuing “Prince Charming” (Alpha/IDGAF Guy) but always settle for the stable guy with the good job (Beta Male Provider). VERY TRUE.
- The ending is sad, but accurate. I felt really bad for Dean because he was offering his love and support the best he knew how; trying to be a good father and husband despite his challenges, which though evident, never really seemed adversely affect the family.
- Cindy simply falls out of love with him despite the way he treats her, which is depicted as quite good until she starts pulling away, then he loses his marbles but never hits her, etc. He’s just deeply hurt.
- The movie ends with Dean pleading for her to change her mind for theirs and Frankie’s sake, but she saying she has NOTHING left for him, zero. She also says she prefers Frankie not grow up in a household where the two parents despise each other. Really sad, I can relate on many levels. But, that's life. Nothing is forever. Dean is shown in the final scene dejected and sullen, walking out of the house and down the sidewalk as Frankie pleads and cries for him to stay. He tells her to go back to her mom as he continues walking as people are setting off fireworks for the 4th of July. The movie ends. Pictures are shown during the credits from their courtship where they both look so happy and in love. There are also flashbacks to this point throughout the movie which makes the ending even sadder and more gut wrenching when you see how far they, mainly Cindy, have fallen out of love.
Takeaways:
- Marriage and LTRs are HUGE gambles. You can do everything "right' as a man and the woman can and usually will fall out of love with you at some point in which it become more of a partnership. Especially in 2021. Think twice about betting everything you have on that.
- It is mainly the man’s (as the leader) responsibility to keep the woman interested, even in marriage. Sacrificing your life, dreams, and goals for her are not the answer and a turn-off in the long run. Being "nice" isn't the answer to a successful marriage or LTR.
-Have goals and aspirations and PURPOSE for two main reasons: 1) You will feel more fulfilled as a person and contributor on this planet. 2) Women are hugely attracted to men with these qualities, not chronic slackers and lazy asses.
Good watch. I'd recommend it. 4.5/5 Stars.
Ciao,
Dash
My thoughts and review:
The movie is quite good and was up for many awards. Both Gosling and Williams were also nominated multiple times. I won't go into the plot in details, you can read about it or watch the movie. The writers were quite accurate, IMO, about what happens in most marriages and LTRs. They wrote from experience, is my guess.
Some notes:
- I thought Gosling was superb. Was never a huge fan of him, but this movie changed my opinion. I can't help but think at some point he's seen the original Rocky movie (Academy Award for Best Picture 1977), and imitated or channeled Stallone's character, Rocky Balboa. Sans the boxing part, the mannerisms, thinking, speech, attitude, wit, many features of the characters are very similar.
- Williams was very good too. The part that really stuck with me was how appalled and disgusted she was when Dean (Gosling) was trying to make love to her on the floor of the hotel. She gritted her teeth like she just could stand it even though he was trying to be spontaneous and romantic. She just didn’t even want him to touch her. Sinking feeling as he was still very in love with her.
- Gosling is depicted for the most part as the White Knight, marrying Cindy (Williams) after she gets knocked up by another guy. Dean isn’t a p*ussy per se, and he appears to be a really good dad and husband, keeping things light by acting goofy and showing affection to Frankie (kid) and Cindy. BUT, as has been discussed HEAVILY on SS for decades now, he is largely unmotivated with few aspirations. This plus his drinking proves to be his undoing with Cindy. She likely wanted better for her and her daughter. She was a nurse and was likely tired of towing the line the past 5 years.
- There is a part in the movie where Dean is talking to a co-worker. He comments that women are always pursuing “Prince Charming” (Alpha/IDGAF Guy) but always settle for the stable guy with the good job (Beta Male Provider). VERY TRUE.
- The ending is sad, but accurate. I felt really bad for Dean because he was offering his love and support the best he knew how; trying to be a good father and husband despite his challenges, which though evident, never really seemed adversely affect the family.
- Cindy simply falls out of love with him despite the way he treats her, which is depicted as quite good until she starts pulling away, then he loses his marbles but never hits her, etc. He’s just deeply hurt.
- The movie ends with Dean pleading for her to change her mind for theirs and Frankie’s sake, but she saying she has NOTHING left for him, zero. She also says she prefers Frankie not grow up in a household where the two parents despise each other. Really sad, I can relate on many levels. But, that's life. Nothing is forever. Dean is shown in the final scene dejected and sullen, walking out of the house and down the sidewalk as Frankie pleads and cries for him to stay. He tells her to go back to her mom as he continues walking as people are setting off fireworks for the 4th of July. The movie ends. Pictures are shown during the credits from their courtship where they both look so happy and in love. There are also flashbacks to this point throughout the movie which makes the ending even sadder and more gut wrenching when you see how far they, mainly Cindy, have fallen out of love.
Takeaways:
- Marriage and LTRs are HUGE gambles. You can do everything "right' as a man and the woman can and usually will fall out of love with you at some point in which it become more of a partnership. Especially in 2021. Think twice about betting everything you have on that.
- It is mainly the man’s (as the leader) responsibility to keep the woman interested, even in marriage. Sacrificing your life, dreams, and goals for her are not the answer and a turn-off in the long run. Being "nice" isn't the answer to a successful marriage or LTR.
-Have goals and aspirations and PURPOSE for two main reasons: 1) You will feel more fulfilled as a person and contributor on this planet. 2) Women are hugely attracted to men with these qualities, not chronic slackers and lazy asses.
Good watch. I'd recommend it. 4.5/5 Stars.
Ciao,
Dash
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