In a story that crosses two generations and two families, a Place Beyond the Pines offers a powerful exploration of the father/son relationship.
When a touring stunt motorcyclist, Luke (Ryan Gosling), discovers upon revisiting a town that he’s now a father, he quits his job and sets about making a permanent life for himself there.
By Keeva Stratton.
Without his motorcycling career, he finds it increasingly difficult to make ends meet and be the breadwinner that he wants for his son. Out of desperation, he begins to rob banks, which is where his life crosses paths with a rookie cop (Bradley Cooper), who has a son the same age.
Their encounter will have a profound effect on the path that each of their lives takes, as well as the future paths of their sons.
A Place Beyond the Pines is drama, exceptionally done. Derek Cianfrance, whose last film Blue Valentine was equally moving, is proving to be an alluring talent for cinemagoers seeking a bare humanity and a truth. It’s dark and yet beautifully empathetic.
This is a film about characters, and the performances that carry them are each very solid. Eve Mendes as a broken-down single mother shows beauty, strength and resilience. Gosling is understated, and Cooper well-positioned in his conflict between his power and his morality.
To carry an audience across 140 minutes of screen time is no easy feat, but Cianfrance has done so with remarkable ease. Moving and compassionate, A Place Beyond the Pines is certainly worth viewing.
Directed by: Derek Cianfrance
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes
Rating: MA15+
Runtime: 140mins
Release Date: May 9
Reviewer rating: 4/5