The Place Beyond the Pines Film Review

Nothing screams ‘comfort movie’ more than a Derek Cianfrance classic…

The Place Beyond The Pines Review: 4/5 🏍️ 🎇

And with his 2012 drama-thriller entitled “The Place Beyond the Pines”, the indie director embraces this niche quality beautifully through vivid cinematography, an eerie, yet touching storyline, and remarkable performances.

Ryan Gosling proves once again that his versatility is unmatched, stealing the spotlight from the get-go despite having the least amount of screen time out of all the main characters. From mere changes in facial expression to his emotional range, Goslings stuns audiences as the Mojo Bandit turned father figure. Bradley Cooper’s supporting role also garnered him heaps of critical acclaim, and although rarely present in the same scene, the two foils juxtapose each other brilliantly in the cop-robber dichotomy.

The cinematography in this film is textbook. Every frame has a purpose and comes alive, making basic sets such as bedroom quarters seem aged and worn down by the dialogues that echoes in them. The way that the crew manipulated lighting to eventuate certain pivotal character moments is also worth noting. The Place Beyond the Pines is a film that can be viewed in complete silence and yet tell a perfectly sound story all at the same time.

The plot of the film is subjective at best, but it really resonated with me on a level beyond any other drama. It grapples with the hardships of fatherhood, abuse, and poverty, all while juggling a unique chronological take to the generations of individuals highlighted. Although I do think the film could’ve been wrapped up by the 2-hour mark, it nevertheless sent out its message with ease and closure.

The Place Beyond the Pines is a film for a distinct audience, one that appreciates the minute details of artistically-driven productions. Nevertheless, the movie is a beautifully written coming-of-age drama that accurately portrays societal injustices present in the legal system to this date. 🏍️