The Place Beyond the Pines [2013]

March 23, 2014

Directed by: Derek Cianfrance
Written by: Derek Cianfrance, Ben Coccio and Darius Marder (based on a story by Cianfrance and Coccio)
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta, Dane DeHaan, Emory Cohen, Ben Mendelsohn, Rose Byrne

Not since Hall and Oates has there been such a team

I find it amazing that this film’s most memorable, T-shirt worthy line (“If you ride like lightning, you’re gonna crash like thunder”) was ad-libbed by Ben Mendelsohn, but I guess that shouldn’t be a surprise, considering the film itself parts from a very simple, bare-bones story and is elevated wonderfully by its talented cast and a skilled director that is just beginning to take flight.

Gosling, Cooper, Mendes and DeHaan are riveting in this sprawling epic, where the sins of the fathers become those of the sons. However, not even them are able to stop what ultimately prevents this film from being truly great: a nearly disastrous, contrived third act.

From the exciting chases and bank robberies in Gosling’s chapter, to the intrigue in Cooper’s, it all comes closely to a halt in the final chapter, where the spotlight is not on the cat and mouse, but on the kittens and pinkies. The last stage just doesn’t hold up and the tale loses focus (Emory Cohen’s exaggerated performance certainly doesn’t help things), and you wonder if a non-linear narrative would’ve solved this film’s big issue.

Or, you know, I missed the point and Cianfrance was just repeating his film’s main motif: riding like lightning only to then crash like thunder.

Category : Film Reviews

Tags : 2013, 2014, bank heist, bank robbery, ben mendelsohn, blog, bloggers, blogging, bradley cooper, bradley cooper hot, bradley cooper ryan gosling, committed to celluloid, critic, dane dehaan, derek cianfrance, emory cohen, eva mendes, eva mendes hot, film, films, movie, movies, ray liotta, review, ryan gosling, ryan gosling eva mendes, ryan gosling hot, ryan gosling motorcycle, ryan gosling shirtless, ryan gosling tattoos, the place beyond the pines

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25 thoughts on “The Place Beyond the Pines [2013]”

AndyK on March 23, 2014 at 12:31 pm said:

Great review Fernando! Totally agree, I loved this film, especially until Gosling and Cooper crossed paths. After that it loses momentum, becomes a standard corruption drama and then an unbelievable father/son/sins bonanza, where it comes to a shuddering halt.

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fernandorafael on March 23, 2014 at 12:33 pm said:

Yep, you put it so well. Glad we’re on the same page. Thanks for reading!

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liamdoesfilm on March 23, 2014 at 12:49 pm said:

I thought this film was great! With good acting and an equal story 🙂 reviewed it on my blog check it out if you get time, otherwise good review 🙂

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fernandorafael on March 23, 2014 at 1:22 pm said:

Thanks, Liam! I thought it started out great but lost foucs and energy during the third act.

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keith7198 on March 23, 2014 at 1:01 pm said:

Nice review! Funny, I just reviewed it last week myself. You rated it a tad higher than I did but overall I agree. It was very entertaining.

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fernandorafael on March 23, 2014 at 1:24 pm said:

Thank you. Funny that we got to it almost at the same time. Glad we agree, Keith. I think many people share the same opinions on TPBTP.

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Terry Malloy's Pigeon Coop on March 23, 2014 at 1:10 pm said:

Nice one mate! Had a good time with this one, it’s a really ambitious film. I think it gets less interesting as it goes along, the best part is the first third, but it’s still a really intriguing story.

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fernandorafael on March 23, 2014 at 1:25 pm said:

Thanks, Chris. I agree. First third is absolutely perfect, Cooper’s chapter is still interesting though not as exciting, but it definitely loses a lot of power in the third part.

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Tom on March 23, 2014 at 1:48 pm said:

Nice review dude, even though I loved it all the way through I would have to say that if there was one issue I had with it it would have occurred in the third act. But it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen it I can’t recall specifics! lol

All I do remember is loving Ryan Gosling and Brad Cooper, and I thought Mendelsohn was a nice touch as well

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fernandorafael on March 23, 2014 at 5:40 pm said:

Yeah, the cast is pretty strong! Glad you liked the film. I liked it too but it could’ve been better with a stronger finale.

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Joseph@thecinemamonster on March 23, 2014 at 2:41 pm said:

Favourite quote from the film! Ben Mendelsohn is absolutely phenomenal in this, such an underrated, underused talent. Excellent post, Fernando :).

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fernandorafael on March 23, 2014 at 5:41 pm said:

Thanks, Joe. He is pretty good. Maybe he deserved a larger role. I’m so glad he ad-libbed that quote, though. It’s fuckin great.

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ruth on March 23, 2014 at 4:34 pm said:

Hi Fernando, I might give this a rent at some point. I’m not big on Gosling, as you already know, but I feel that I should still give the film a shot.

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fernandorafael on March 23, 2014 at 5:42 pm said:

Yes. It’s very solid before the third act. Maybe this’ll change your mind about Ryan. Bradley’s pretty good too.

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mikeyb @ screenkicker on March 23, 2014 at 4:50 pm said:

I agree completely, the last third seemed pointless and didn’t add to the movie. But the performances were great

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fernandorafael on March 23, 2014 at 5:42 pm said:

Thanks. Glad we’re on the same page 🙂

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Three Rows Back on March 23, 2014 at 4:53 pm said:

Fine review. This was one of my favourites of 2013; one that was overlooked awards-wise. Really looking forward to seeing what Cianfrance does next.

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fernandorafael on March 23, 2014 at 5:43 pm said:

I’m curious too. And definitely underrated. It should’ve been in the acting discussion at least

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CMrok93 on March 23, 2014 at 5:25 pm said:

The cast is great. Everything else, on the other hand, gets a bit bloated and over-blown by the end. Good review Fernando.

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fernandorafael on March 23, 2014 at 5:44 pm said:

Thanks, man. That seems to be the general opinion.

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Mark Walker on March 25, 2014 at 2:55 am said:

Concisely captured Fernando. It does suffer in the final third but I still thought it was a solid flick. It missed Gosling dreadfully, though, when his chapter was over with.

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fernandorafael on March 25, 2014 at 8:17 am said:

Yeah, I agree. His was the best chapter by far, but I also quite enjoyed Cooper’s. He’s becoming one of my favorite actors.

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martin250 on March 26, 2014 at 5:53 pm said:

Good review Fernando. and a fair star rating. the last chapter felt too contrived and was not that interesting. But the first two were very good. this is also one of Goslings best performances i think.

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fernandorafael on March 27, 2014 at 1:01 pm said:

Thanks, Martin. We seem to agree and yes, I also think it’s one of Gosling’s best. That scene when his son’s being baptized and he cries is really powerful.

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