The Place Beyond the Pines

Intense films, although being graphically and a lot of times violently portrayed, are usually well acted, written and directed projects. With this concept in check, "The Place Beyond the Pines" is a well crafted, but certainly makes for a tough watching film.

A mysterious and quiet stunt motorcycle racer Luke (Ryan Gosling) drives out of a traveling carnival globe of death and whizzes through the streets of Schenectady, New York, desperately trying to connect with his former lover, Romina (Eva Mendes) who already has another man in her life, Kofi (Mahershala Ali). You see, Romina has recently and secretly given birth to the stunt rider's son. In an attempt to provide for his new family, Luke quits the carnival and subsequently meets Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) who hires him as a mechanic. Because of the work being slow, Robin talks Luke into committing a string of bank robberies with the help of Luke's superior riding ability.
The stakes rise as Luke is put on a collision course with an ambitious rookie police officer, Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper) looking to quickly move up the ranks in a police department riddled with corruption.
This sweeping drama fast-forwards fifteen years later as the sins of the past haunt the present day lives of two teenage boys, Jason (Dane DeHaan) and AJ (Emory Cohen) with the legacy they've inherited. The only refuge to be found lies in the place beyond the pines.

Others to round out the cast are Rose Byrne as Jennifer, Avery's wife, Ray Liotta as Deluca, a cop, Bruce Greenwood as Bill Killcullen, an investigative detective, Harris Yulin as Al Cross, Avery's retired dad who was a judge, Gabe Fazio as Scott, a cop, and Robert Clohessy as Chief Weirzbowski.

This was intensely directed by Derek Cianfrance ("Brother Tied" '98, "Shots in the Dark" (TV Documentary) '01, "Black and White: A Portrait of Sean Combs" (TV Documentary) '06, "Blue Valentine" '10). The grit and pathos he was able to get specifically out of both Gosling and Cooper was perfection. It was equally well written by Cianfrance, Ben Coccio, and Darius Marder. Viewing how these two actors, Gosling and Cooper, although had very little screen time together, still was able to show this connection and the way these writers were able to convey similarities of these two, even though they came from incredibly different lives was stunning and chilling. It was a bit long-in-the-tooth, but not enough to make this seem like it would never end. Both Gosling and Cooper have never been better in this and could receive nods come Oscar time.

The photography by Sean Bobbitt, asc ("Wonderland" '99, "Chunky Monkey" '01, "Lawless Heart" '01, "Summer Things" '02, "Cargo" '06, "The Situation" '06, "The Baker" '07, "Mrs. Ratcliffe's Revolution" '07, "Hunger" '08, "Africa United" '10, "Shame" '10, "Hysteria" '11, "Everyday" '12) was sweeping, however, at the same time felt secluded, dark and solitary, which was spot on considering what scene was demanding at that particular time.

This is not a warm and fuzzy feeling film, however I don't think it was meant to be. Trust me, the acting, directing and writing of this will more than make up for a story of two individuals whose lives consistently deteriorate before your very eyes.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                         Rated: R                         140mins.