Movie Review: The Place Beyond The Pines (2013)
Written by Anthony Sargon
Life doesn't always go as planned. Unexpected things can and will happen, but it's how we choose to deal with those events that makes us who we are, and ultimately, decides our fate. Derek Ciafrance's "The Place Beyond The Pines" is a beautiful and heart-wrenching film that explores the importance of family, and what one is willing to do for it in a world tainted by greed and corruption.
Luke (Ryan Gosling) is a motorcycle stunt rider who turns to robbing banks in order to support his new-born child. The child's mother, Romina (Eva Mendes), has managed to care for him and doesn't want Luke to get involved, something that doesn't sit too well with him. Luke's crime spree eventually puts him on a collision course with an ambitious police officer called Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper), an event that will change the course of their lives, as well as their children's, forever.
The film's performances are top-notch across the board, with Bradely Cooper and Dane DeHaan (playing Luke's grown-up son) stealing the show. Ryan Gosling is back in "Drive" mode as Luke, which is a little distracting but works nonetheless. Eva Mendes gives an understated but poignant performance as Romina, and there's even an appearance by Ray Liotta as a crooked cop, a role he can play in his sleep.
The film is beautifully shot and has a haunting score that sets a dreary mood early on. The pace of the film is quite slow, which can turn a lot of people off, but it gives the story and the characters room to develop. Plenty of the film's main characters are introduced in the second half of the movie, and thanks to strong character development, they leave as much of an impact as everyone else.
This is Derek Cianfrance's second directorial effort after 2010's "Blue Valentine", and he's proven himself to be a very capable director. He can get strong performances out of his actors, and everything he shoots feels raw and unfiltered. There's a constant sense of uneasiness while watching his movies, and it works in the their favor.
Anthony's Verdict:
"The Place Beyond The Pines" is an unrelenting drama that isn't afraid to take risks. It's masterfully directed, brilliantly acted, and one of the year's best so far.
Numerical Score: 9/10
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