The Place Beyond the Pines - Derek Cianfrance, 2013

When your debut film is loved and adored by many, it is not unusual to feel certain pressure about your next. This doesn’t seem to apply to director Derek Cianfrance. After the much acclaimed Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines showcases an ambitious execution of gripping ideas, confirming that Cianfrance has still got much more to offer.

For his latest project, the indie director reunites with his muse Ryan Gosling, who plays motorcyclist Luke; a stunt rider working in a circus. Travelling with his stunt group, Luke enjoys his own company on the road. However, this isolation is put on hold when he meets his old lover Romina (Eva Mendes), and more importantly, a son he never knew he had. Desperate to provide for them, Luke decides to use his motorcycling skills to rob a bank. As you do. This brings him to the attention of stern-face idealist cop, Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper). Starting from an event of chance, the two men on opposite sides of the law are thrown together. 

The choices they make and the impact these choices have on their lives play out across an unforgettable 140 minutes of screen time. 

As well as its riveting plot, The Place Beyond the Pines delves deep into human emotion. Throughout the film, the director offers an observation of life as nothing but a continuation of choices. Cianfrance stretches this idea as far as the nature-nurture issue, sharply commenting on the way that actions can affect people through generations. All are intriguing themes that are swiftly raised and brought together in a breathtaking ending. 

The film is stunningly supported by Sean Bobbitt’s dimensional cinematography. Known for capturing touching yet beautiful visions in Steve McQueen’s Hunger and Shame, Bobbitt brings the drama of Pines to the edge of the screen, blurring together jarring images that allow the audience to feel the emotion during its most powerful sequences. At times, the camera remains stationary, its stillness reinforcing the film’s more peaceful and reflective moments. 

The Place Beyond the Pines achieves not only outstanding storytelling but, with great performances and well-written dialogue, confirms Derek Cianfrance’s status as one of the rising directorial talents of this generation. 

 

Originally posted on Concrete UEA  23/04/2013