I'm not sure that I've ever seen a film so drastically change in style from one act to the other as much as The Place Beyond the Pines. The movie is three separate parts that are interconnected, and each part focuses on a different man and how the choices he makes affect him and his family. The first act is raw and visceral, with Ryan Gosling at the forefront. The second focuses on Bradley Cooper in a more cut and dry Law and Order type story, and the third depicts the sons of each dealing with the pasts their fathers have left behind. Gosling's part was easily my favorite, and I can't help but wonder what the film would have been had it kept him in the main role throughout the film. At a running time of 140 minutes it's long, but moves at a brisk pace despite a lull in the middle. Pines is rich with themes of fatherhood, generational sin, and abandonment; I found it to be a very thought provoking film.
Luke (Ryan Gosling), a motorcycle stunt driver, is traveling with the circus when he is reunited with an old fling, Romina (Eva Mendes). Luke discovers that he has an infant son with Romina, and quits his job in an effort to be a father. When he realizes that his skills are sorely limited, he turns to robbing banks to get the cash to provide for his family. This intersects him with Avery (Bradley Cooper), a young policeman whose story is focused on in the second act. His plot deals with the corruption in the police system and his quest to expose it. Lastly we meet the sons of both men, Avery's son AJ (Emory Cohen), and Luke's son Jason (Dane DeHaan, soon to step into James Franco's shoes as Harry Osbourn in the sequel of the Spider-Man reboot). The lives of these 4 men are intertwined, and the past haunts each of them.
Gosling plays Luke in a similar fashion to his character in Drive. A dangerous man that is also principled, just the kind of bad boy every woman will swoon over when he looks like Ryan Gosling. The cinematography in this first act is incredible. There were many shots that were Goodfellas restaurant scene-like, with the steadicam following Gosling from behind. These shots were especially effective in the bank robberies, which were extremely intense. The music was eerie throughout, an efficient device that made me constantly feel uneasy, even when things were going well for the character on screen. I loved how Gosling's character was so intent on providing and being there for his son. As soon as he finds out about him, he drops everything to be with him. Luke states that he wants to be there for his son because his dad wasn't there for him, and that he didn't turn out well because of it. Kids need a dad, and as a man who wants children in the future, this film reminded me over and over the importance of being an engaged dad that is there in every way for my kids.
Ryan Gosling, at least in my mind, is on the path to becoming the next Brad Pitt. Pitt was initially an actor cast solely for his looks, and has since developed into one of Hollywood's best leading men, and has starred in some truly amazing films (Se7en, Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, just to name a few). Gosling was the same way in the early parts of his career (see: The Notebook and Remember the Titans), but has since chosen more interesting characters and scripts (Drive). He still does some crowd pleasers (Crazy, Stupid, Love) like Pitt also does (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the Ocean's movies), and that is a really good thing. Gosling has the charm, looks, and range to do whatever he wants, and I'm excited to see his career play out.
Cooper's act is not near as thought provoking or exciting. I like Cooper as an actor a lot, and there are some good plot turns in his part, it just was not near as unique as the first act. When the shift is taken away from Gosling, the film lost a lot of steam. When we get to see their sons grown up, it's interesting to see how they deal with the sins of their fathers. Again, as a man who hopes to have kids in the future, there was a lot for me to think about.
First, the concept of generational sin is a real thing. Children have predisposition to repeat the sins of their parents. Luke knows this, and doesn't want the cycle to continue with Jason. The cycle of sin doesn't have to continue for any of us. Jesus paid our debt of sins, and as long as we confess and repent our sins to Him, they are removed from us and we are free to walk alongside Him. Second, being a parent is just a scary thing. I've seen many kids from great families turn out rotten, and vice versa. Luke and Jason come from very different backgrounds but still end up somewhat the same. Jason grows up in a home with two parents who stayed together (Romina and his stepfather who was basically there from birth), while AJ has to deal with his parents divorce. As a father, it terrifies me that I might do the best I can and still raise a child who will make bad choices. I guess the best anyone can do is trust in the Lord and do your best, and let the chips fall where they may.
I really liked The Place Beyond the Pines, and would definitely see it again. There's a lot to unpack, and none of it comes off as melodramatic. The style of the film is gritty and unique, and the motif works well with the story. Gosling and Cooper are two fantastic actors that shine in their very different roles. The Place Beyond the Pines will make you think, and that's something I appreciate in a movie.
3.5/5
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