I'm Still Thinking About: The Consequences In 'The Place Beyond The Pines'
- sarahkloepple
- Oct 3, 2014
- 2 min read
I don't think I've ever been more moved by a film than when I watched the complexities and consequences unfold in the father-son epic that is "The Place Beyond the Pines."
That statement packs some weight because, in case you couldn't already tell, I watch a lot of movies. But it's inarguably a true statement. The movie (which is criminally unheard of by most) really isn't what you think it is. If you've ever seen trailers or TV spots, "The Place Beyond the Pines" looks like a typical bank robber thriller starring a face-tattooed Ryan Gosling. The rustic, indie version of "The Town."
But really, the film (directed by Derek Cianfrance) is actually broken into three parts. The first part consists of that derivative bank robbing plot I briefly mentioned, but even that packs in heavy emotion more than it does flashy car chases and gun play.
Ryan Gosling plays Luke, a motocycle extraordinaire who realizes a one-night stand (Eva Mendes) gave birth to his child. So Luke finds himself going to illegal extremes to provide for the family he didn't realize he had.
The second part follows rookie cop Avery (played by a really impressive Bradley Cooper) and his corrupt precint while the third part, which I really can't give much detail without spoiling the whole film, follows the consequences of the two previous acts that have tragically collided.
What really stuck with me after I viewed this film was the unimaginable aftermath that can errupt from just being at the wrong place at the wrong time. It's also just a brilliant narrative of fathers and sons and the affects of their lasting legacies.
There's one scene in particular that I'll always remember. Dane DeHaan's character is riding his bike while Cianfrance and his camera follow from above. It creates a poetic parallel to a previous scene in the film, even paired with the exact same music (a beautiful score that could move you to tears I swear!).
In summary: I'm really fond of this movie, if that wasn't already clear. Don't be put off by it because you think it's one of those predictable crime thrillers. It's actually so much more. It's first and foremost a story, one of epic proportions that's complex in both content and execution.
(Just watch the trailer, if not for the vague plot description then for that damn amazing score. #bye)
