Written and directed by Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine),
The Place Beyond the Pines is a gripping thriller starring Ryan Gosling,
Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes and Ray Liotta. Three stories intertwine in
Cianfrance’s methodical slow-burner, kicking things off with Gosling’s troubled
stunt rider. Luke (Gosling) is desperately trying to reconnect with former
lover Romina (Mendes), who secretly gave birth to his son when first they met.
In an attempt to provide for his family, he quits the
carnival life and takes to robbing banks, putting him on a collision course
with ambitious officer Avery Cross (Cooper). Cross wants more for his family
too, with plans to move up the ranks of a police department already riddled with
corruption. Bribery, theft, dishonour and guilt are the order of the day here,
culminating in a final act that comes full circle. To reveal more would be a
crime, but rest assured, Cianfrance has followed up Blue Valentine with another
exquisite drama.
Gosling is undoubtedly the star of the show and the first
act plays like a sequel to Drive, blessed with moody, dreamlike visuals,
compelling performances and a haunting score. The second act misses his
presence but Cooper is almost up to the task, growing more interesting as the
storyline develops, even if his ‘police corruption’ story arc is a little too
conventional at times. The tonal shift is quite jarring at first but the pieces
are put in place for act three, which sees father and son relationships brought
to the forefront.
After 140 leisurely minutes, some viewers might expect a
little more closure, but life doesn’t wrap itself in pretty little bows and
Cianfrance is all too aware of that. The Place Beyond the Pines is a thoughtful
study of consequence, where desperation and desire to do the right thing can
prove just as destructive as hate. They say that everything comes in three's,
and judging by this sublime drama, I can’t wait to see what Cianfrance does
next. AW
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