The Place Beyond the Pines

***
Release Date: April 12th 2013

A motorcycle stunt rider turns to robbing banks as a way to provide for his lover and their newborn child, a decision that puts him on a collision course with an ambitious rookie cop navigating a department ruled by a corrupt detective.

Director: Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine)

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, Bradley Cooper, Ray Liotta, Ben Mendelsohn, Rose Byrne, Dane Dehaan, Emory Cohen

The Place Beyond the Pines is a tale including three chapters, and how they link to one another. Don't see this as a linear story, but more of a knock on effect from what happens first.

The first part follows Luke (Ryan Gosling). He is a stunt-motorcyclist, who is always on the move with his job, never settling down. Out of the blue his ex Romina (Eva Mendes) comes to see him, but as Luke later calls on her, he finds out some news that changes his life. In order to make more money, Luke resorts to robbing banks with the help from Robin (Ben Mendelsohn).

The next chapter follows Avery (Bradely Cooper), a cop who becomes a hero when he runs in to Luke. This part shows how he deals with his first serious case and how it effects his personal life. Smaller parts from Ray Liotta and others are welcome as corrupt cops. Rose Byrne is Cooper's wife, and had hardly any screen time. Same goes for Mendes. This is purely a film about Fathers and their sons, and how their upbringing (or lack of) makes them who they are.

The third and final part introduces the sons of Luke and Avery. Played by Dane DeHaan and Emery Cohen respectively, little can be said about their story so as not to spoil the film.

The acting is phenomenal. Gosling, Cooper and the two young men all deliver. The Place Beyond the Pines is a very male dominated film, but not aimed at only a male audience.

The flow of the film is a little sluggish. Going from one story to the next, even though they are connected by family matters, doesn't flow well. Just as your about to start caring for these characters and their burdens, we shift to another character. If the film stayed with Gosling's character, then it would have a better outcome.

The main problem with TPBTP is it's duration; it doesn't know where to end, so when you think it would end nicely at a certain point, it does the opposite and carries on for what feels like longer than its 140 minutes.

Overview: Gosling shows an ambiance that resembles his character in Drive. It is definitely Cooper's best performance to date. Try to see it the whole way through, the performances make it worth while.