PLACES BEYOND THE PINES - REVIEW

PLACES BEYOND THE PINES - REVIEW

A highly ambitious film from writer/director Derek Cianfrance, Places Beyond the Pines covers a wide range of themes such as Family, love, fatherhood and the inevitable.

The film powerfully explores the consequences of motorcycle rider Luke’s fateful decision to commit a crime to support his child. The incident renders him targeted by policeman Avery, and the two men become locked on a tense collision course, which will have a devastating impact on both of their families in the years following.

In truth that little plot summary doesn’t paint an accurate picture of the film and yet, it’s the focal point of the story.

The Narrative of the story is a really split into four parts: The first part being about Luke (Played by Ryan Gosling), the second part being about Avery (Played by Bradley Cooper), the second and third part being about AJ (played by Emory Cohen) and Jason (played by Dane DeHaan).  

It’s really a film with four chapters, and each chapter is told from the Point-Of-View of one specific character. However instead of each chapter being about the same events from a different character’s POV, the narrative moves at a linear pace, allowing the film to move forward without reiterating past events to the audience. 

We are dropped inside the pinnacle most vital point at each of the characters lives, as we witness these characters deal with a particular situation, which will in turn shape their entire lives.

Its certainly intrigues and interest, as the story is not told by any conventional means. Somehow it had wonderfully cinematography to match this delicate multiple thread, as we view the story as though we are witness to the proceedings, always close by in close proximity, following the character of the moment.

The film has a wonderful cast, with the likes of Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta, Rose Byrne and Dane DeHaan. Everybody is fantastic in the film, bringing their A-Game and really pulling off top-notch performances.

Bradley Cooper is certainly on a role with picking the right the movies to do and Dane DeHaan proves once again that his the perfect person in Hollywood at the moment to play twisted teenagers.

Places Beyond the Pines might not always hit its beats, but its still a first class lesson on story-telling. With a great cast and performance to match, this certainly is a fantastic dark, melancholic tale of the sins of the Fathers and the fate of their sons, a true lesson in the circle of life.

My Rating

8/10