When you are going to see a movie, even if you don’t know anything about it, you go in with certain expectations. Of course you hope the movie you payed for is going to be good, but that is not what I’m talking about. You expect that you will join a character in his or her journey, getting to know them and care for them (even if they are bad). You might also expect a three-part setup, one introducing the character, the second something happening to them and the third act resolving their issues. Not many movies stray away from that formula and if they do they can divide opinions. I personally love those type of movies, 21 Grams and Pulp Fiction are prime examples. The Place Beyond the Pines maybe does not cut up its story in the same way as those movies, but it will not meet expectations people will have about it. The trailer of the movie does not prepare you for what the movie is providing and in this case this is a good thing.
During a long, beautiful opening shot you see Luke (Ryan Gosling) walking from his trailer trough carnival grounds to his motorcycle. He is part of stunt team and he travels a lot. He meets up with Romina (Eva Mendes), who he saw when he previously was in town. He finds out she has been keeping something from him and it is reason for him to change his life. Unfortunately it is not one on the straight and narrow, but a life of crime robbing banks. Luke isn’t the only focus of the movie however as it also looks at the life of Avery (Bradley Cooper), a cop who takes pride in his work and who always wants to do what is right. When that belief is shaken he starts to struggle with what he should do.
There is so much I love about this movie. As mentioned earlier the movie has some long, beautiful shots. The first part of the movie has some high adrenaline moments and it manages to portray that feeling very well. An example of this is a scene in which Luke is driving through the woods on his bike, making jumps and riding very closely through the trees, but also when he uses that same bike to get away after a robbery and weaves through traffic. Because of that convincing way of showing the action it leaves an impression and as the movie progresses it lingers in your mind, which it should do as it is important to remember it. It is a movie which really made me realise how big the passage of time can be and how history can be whatever you make it. I do not want to give away too much, but the movie has a great story, great actors in starring and supporting roles and it strongly reminded me of a Hitchcock movie. It also currently is one of my favorite movies of the year. Not need to tell you that you should see this.
Thanks for another fine review. Another movie to watch for!
Thank you Marilyn!
I couldn’t agree more! It’s one of my favourites so far this year, and as you say, it’s one of those that lingers. I’ve seen some criticism against the third act, people not buying into it. But I don’t understand that at all. I love the conclusion. It’s classic and it’s classy.
Happy to hear that Jessica, it’s also one of my favorites. I had no problem with the third act at all. Completely agree with you!
Nicely done. One of my favourites of the year so far.
Thank you, this is a movie which has some divided opinions…
I missed this one when it came out earlier. I regret that now. I’ll have to look for it.
Do check it out, it really is worth watching Victor.
Still think about it from time to time, but usually it’s just what I still think about it til this day. I definitely liked it, but it just got too ridiculous for me in the end. Good review Nostra.
Too ridiculous? I don’t agree with that. What did you find ridiculous?
Personally, I admired Cooper’s performance in the film, over Gosling’s.
I agree with Dan O.’s assessment of the ending.
I liked both Gosling and Cooper and don’t favor either, both were great 🙂
High praise, cant wait to see this. Nice write up Nostra 🙂
Thanks Tyson!
I agree it has an unexpected story. I gave it high rating too, maybe the best film I saw in cinema this year. The scene with the dog and Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark was a great moment, loved that. I also thought was a really good soundtrack for creating mood.
Happy to hear you also loved this one Chris, it is just awesome.
I really enjoyed this film, I’m not sure it entirely worked and the final third was weaker than the first two but I would much rather a film which was ambitious and beautiful but not quite perfect than one that didn’t try at all. Cooper and Gosling are two of the best actors working today and imagine over the next few years they will be slugging it out at awards time on a regular basis.
Also agree with Chris – the soundtrack was great.
I didn’t feel it was weaker. It was different, but something which I thought could happen. I agree that Cooper and Gosling have a bright future ahead. Thanks for commenting Louise.
I really enjoyed this one, too, though I have found it incredibly difficult to write about without giving away major plot elements. You did a good job being as vague as possible here. 🙂
I know, also decided to tell as little about the story as possible. The surprise element adds a lot!