*Promotional Poster for The Place Beyond the Pines*
The Place Beyond the Pines is an interesting character study; the film itself is about how one man's mistakes impact the lives of everyone else's around him. This butterfly effect goes multi-generational and although not preachy in it's message, it's hard not to know where the place need be placed, and in a world full of many grey shades, it's never too obvious who to root for. As far as smaller independent projects go, this one is at the pinnacle of presentation, taking note of how to best stylize Gosling from other indie productions, and utilize the supporting cast to maximum effect.
WARNING: There may be spoilers ahead!
The movie starts off about Ryan Goslings character, a man named Luke, who happens to be a motorcycle stuntman touring through New York state. An encounter with a former love interest played by Eva Mendes (currently his real life girlfriend) sets off a series of events in which he attempts to cope with her news of him having a son, as well as how he provides for him in the immediate future. Luke decides to give up the circus life and instead turns to manual labor for a nearby auto-shop owner. His wadges prove too small to suffice and the two turn to robbing banks in order to provide a sustainable income for his son. Gosling is known for playing likable characters
and while there is a degree of sympathy for Luke, his characters decisions are too obvious in how wrong they are to not fault him for choosing a life of crime to just to go the distance. His desire to be in his sons life is commendable, but no matter who you are this is something that's hard not to understand. However, as Goslings part in the movie winds down, his actions take a turn for the irredeemable worst as he is eventually killed by Avery, a cop played by Bradly Cooper, who shoots and kills Luke in an unfortunate turn of events.
This at first can come as quite a shock, as more often then not most main characters do not fade from the film in the first 45 minutes, but Goslings part plays the most integral role, as every other event in the film stems from most of his wicked actions. Avery opts to be smart and doesn't confess the confusing nature of the event, painting Luke to be just another bad guy who was served justice. Surrounded by crooked friends and attempts to repent for his decision, his character constantly straddles the line between a man just trying to move on, and a hero finding his way. Eventually the film settles into a third act in which any current Hollywood A-listers are all but absent, leaving Luke and Avery's sons to take the helm and play out the end of the film. This is perhaps when the film tries it's hardest to tie in all the events and all the ramifications of the earlier two acts, and fortunately it isn't botched up. The decision however to leave the film in the hands of such newcomers does have it's downside in that their stories are perhaps the least most interesting, and the movie expects you to forgive them based on their age and inherit naivety towards their parents past. Luke's son Jason, deals with his mothers hush-hush attitude towards his father and who he really was, mostly one can assume due to Luke's last request to never tell him about his checkered lifestyle, and his budding friendship with AJ, Avery's sun is never a comfortable mix that always feels like a bully befriending the victim. This cast an aura of discomfort around the final act, in which it is fairly obvious the movie weighs itself in it's morals; hoping to make this unsafe present a more harsh reality through the films tormented past.
It's not a weakness of the film though, and it may be a downer for most viewers, but the message it sends, and it's themes of love, truth, moral decency, and heroes is perhaps it's strongest feature. If for any reason, these themes are brilliant in that they toy with each other, constantly asking you to question if a hero can be a hero today in the traditional sense; if moral decency is displayed through actions more so than words, if truth can be better than lies even if it can hurt the ones you love most, and if that love is stronger through loyalty and silent commitments, or letting the past rest and leave behind everything that once hurt you. These questions burn consistently and The Place Beyond the Pines is nary a shred away from giving a solid answer to any of them, and perhaps better off for it. These are problems that remain best bathed in shades of grey rather than turned black or white due to the need for some closure or straight forward resolve.
Choosing to tell a story like this in three acts is a huge gamble, if for any reason because it casts out Ryan Gosling in the first 45 minutes, during a time where he is perhaps best noted for making movies like this one successful. Instead the movie relies on the talent of Bradly Cooper, and the consistency of Eva Mendes throughout all three acts, mainly the first two, to help see the rest of the events to fruition. But it doesn't seem like any other narrative would've worked so powerfully, so compellingly, and in such a way that challenges us to really look at the amount of lives the actions of one man truly impacted. As stated early, it is nice that none of this feels particularly preachy, and rather than flat out telling you not to peruse a lifestyle like Luke, it all feels very organic; like Luke was just the sort of person who was never going to accomplish anything any other way, and that circumstances pushed him to a life of crime. It may not be something you want to agree with, but the film makes sure that it delivers it's message of consequences without feeling like an after school special.
The acting is stellar, the atmosphere is the typical indie feel, and being a native of New York, it's hard to not appreciate the care put into making sure that an area outside of New York City actually gets the beautiful spot light it deserves. Contrary to what most people may or may not know, the bulk of New York's population actually consists outside of New York City, although it is fairly close to 50%. There are some seriously beautiful places in this state, the Adirondacks for one thing, and The Place Beyond the Pines (which is a rough translation from a Mohawk word adopted as the meaning of Schencetaty, New York; also where the film takes place) does a great job of making you feel as if you're in this world of North Eaterners. However, it is a dreary walk, and an even harder ride for those who aren't used to weighty films about life. It could have even been titled 'Consequences' and felt just as appropriate.; but perhaps more original and easier to cement it's spot as a classic with a much less generic title.
For what it's worth, The Place Beyond the Pines is a hard film not to recommend for anyone to check out. It may not be suitable for anyone looking for big action or comedy, but any serious movie goer would be hard pressed to find a better indie outing this year with so many great start powered performances before the blockbuster season started. Walking away from this movie will grant some greater insight into the complexity of life, the turn it all can take at any moment, and the waves that can crash upon a shore relentlessly. If you're game for the heavy handed subject matter, or even just want to enjoy Gosling doing what he does best, then by all means find this one as fast as you can and enjoy!
Check out the trailer for The Place Beyond the Pines below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G07pSbHLXgg
Review Score Card:
Storyline: Great, involved, deep, weighted, and passionate.
Characters: Driving, inspired performances, and well thought out.
Pacing: Done in three acts, this could be a problem for some, but never drags.
Interest Level: Totally engrossing, captivating at times, requires your full attention
to truly enjoy and appreciate.
Overall: 9 out of 10 - A must see for any fan of Indie films, Gosling, or just good
movies in general.
WARNING: There may be spoilers ahead!
It's not a weakness of the film though, and it may be a downer for most viewers, but the message it sends, and it's themes of love, truth, moral decency, and heroes is perhaps it's strongest feature. If for any reason, these themes are brilliant in that they toy with each other, constantly asking you to question if a hero can be a hero today in the traditional sense; if moral decency is displayed through actions more so than words, if truth can be better than lies even if it can hurt the ones you love most, and if that love is stronger through loyalty and silent commitments, or letting the past rest and leave behind everything that once hurt you. These questions burn consistently and The Place Beyond the Pines is nary a shred away from giving a solid answer to any of them, and perhaps better off for it. These are problems that remain best bathed in shades of grey rather than turned black or white due to the need for some closure or straight forward resolve.
The acting is stellar, the atmosphere is the typical indie feel, and being a native of New York, it's hard to not appreciate the care put into making sure that an area outside of New York City actually gets the beautiful spot light it deserves. Contrary to what most people may or may not know, the bulk of New York's population actually consists outside of New York City, although it is fairly close to 50%. There are some seriously beautiful places in this state, the Adirondacks for one thing, and The Place Beyond the Pines (which is a rough translation from a Mohawk word adopted as the meaning of Schencetaty, New York; also where the film takes place) does a great job of making you feel as if you're in this world of North Eaterners. However, it is a dreary walk, and an even harder ride for those who aren't used to weighty films about life. It could have even been titled 'Consequences' and felt just as appropriate.; but perhaps more original and easier to cement it's spot as a classic with a much less generic title.
For what it's worth, The Place Beyond the Pines is a hard film not to recommend for anyone to check out. It may not be suitable for anyone looking for big action or comedy, but any serious movie goer would be hard pressed to find a better indie outing this year with so many great start powered performances before the blockbuster season started. Walking away from this movie will grant some greater insight into the complexity of life, the turn it all can take at any moment, and the waves that can crash upon a shore relentlessly. If you're game for the heavy handed subject matter, or even just want to enjoy Gosling doing what he does best, then by all means find this one as fast as you can and enjoy!
Check out the trailer for The Place Beyond the Pines below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G07pSbHLXgg
Review Score Card:
Storyline: Great, involved, deep, weighted, and passionate.
Characters: Driving, inspired performances, and well thought out.
Pacing: Done in three acts, this could be a problem for some, but never drags.
Interest Level: Totally engrossing, captivating at times, requires your full attention
to truly enjoy and appreciate.
Overall: 9 out of 10 - A must see for any fan of Indie films, Gosling, or just good
movies in general.
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