There are a lot of movies that come out to critical acclaim but never really get the release they should have. This often has to do with the chances taken to tell the story, but often it's just a studio issue. The Place Beyond the Pines features a great cast including Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta and Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance at the helm, but does it deliver?
The Place Beyond the Pines follows series of events that interconnect a group of people. When a stunt motorcycle rider discovers he has a child with a former lover he does whatever he can to make things right and provide for them including robbing banks, but when things spiral out of control his encounter with a rookie police officer will change both of their lives forever for years to come. This is a cleverly crafted film that is split into 3 stories, but all a part of a larger story. The first half of the film is a bit slow, but once it was over was actually necessary for the overall film. Everyone in this film give great performances, but Gosling and Cooper really drive it home. The structure to this film is really bold as it is not all that hard to figure out where it is probably heading, but does do some clever misleading from time to time. The motorcycle sequences really set the tone with the bank robberies and turn things up a notch getting the film on track and it stays there. This isn't an action movie, but does sport a bit here and there, but mostly this is a character story and a story of legacy and how actions can affect things through your entire life.
Besides the slow moments there are a few aspects here that seem to be stretched out a bit more than needed and slows the pacing down, but the overall film delivers a great story and great performances. Stick through the slow pacing of the beginning of the film and you are in for a great film.
The Place Beyond the Pines follows series of events that interconnect a group of people. When a stunt motorcycle rider discovers he has a child with a former lover he does whatever he can to make things right and provide for them including robbing banks, but when things spiral out of control his encounter with a rookie police officer will change both of their lives forever for years to come. This is a cleverly crafted film that is split into 3 stories, but all a part of a larger story. The first half of the film is a bit slow, but once it was over was actually necessary for the overall film. Everyone in this film give great performances, but Gosling and Cooper really drive it home. The structure to this film is really bold as it is not all that hard to figure out where it is probably heading, but does do some clever misleading from time to time. The motorcycle sequences really set the tone with the bank robberies and turn things up a notch getting the film on track and it stays there. This isn't an action movie, but does sport a bit here and there, but mostly this is a character story and a story of legacy and how actions can affect things through your entire life.
Besides the slow moments there are a few aspects here that seem to be stretched out a bit more than needed and slows the pacing down, but the overall film delivers a great story and great performances. Stick through the slow pacing of the beginning of the film and you are in for a great film.