'The Law of Unintended Consequences' is real the theme of 'The Place Beyond the Pines' and could easily be the film's alternative name. The cleverly structured story splits into three phases and is most definitely worth watching. The direction by Derek Clanfrance (who also directed The Light Between the Oceans) makes this movie a cinematic masterpiece. Allied to that is superb acting by the entire cast, with an absorbing script for the most part, great cinematography and score.
The director's trick is shifting the narrative seamlessly through time across the generations; without needless flashbacks, Each section is itself a whole story. As they conclude it feels like the friends we now know on the silver screen are lost, and we begin again with a new set of actors. When this happends you'll no doubt wonder what is going on. But this trick works so well, and it is compelling because the continuity editors have also done their task sublimely too. The story builds and builds ultimately into a satisfying climax.
Many fine performances come from Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Rose Byrne, not forgetting Ray Liotta as a chilling psychopathic corrupt cop who, as ever, you would not want to accidentally bump into one dark night. The story twists unexpectedly more than once and it is challenging to anticipate where it might go. While the theme makes use of a highly unusual motif stranger things have happened, so it is always entirely believable.
There is a crucial downside, Dane Dehaan plays his role brilliantly as the obnoxious, toxic young tearaway Jason, and so convincingly he is someone all normal people would try their damdest to avoid. Thus the only part hard to swallow is that Bradley Cooper's son willingly, and gullibly, teams up with Jason. And it is through their partnership the unintended consequences occur, with each generation oblivious to the repercussions of people who come later, which reflects reality. The significant passage of time film moves through gives it a cryptic Kane and Abel vibe. The film won 5 awards to date and was nominated for countless others. Despite what some reviewers say this gripping film does not overrun. Rating: 9.5.
The director's trick is shifting the narrative seamlessly through time across the generations; without needless flashbacks, Each section is itself a whole story. As they conclude it feels like the friends we now know on the silver screen are lost, and we begin again with a new set of actors. When this happends you'll no doubt wonder what is going on. But this trick works so well, and it is compelling because the continuity editors have also done their task sublimely too. The story builds and builds ultimately into a satisfying climax.
Many fine performances come from Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Rose Byrne, not forgetting Ray Liotta as a chilling psychopathic corrupt cop who, as ever, you would not want to accidentally bump into one dark night. The story twists unexpectedly more than once and it is challenging to anticipate where it might go. While the theme makes use of a highly unusual motif stranger things have happened, so it is always entirely believable.
There is a crucial downside, Dane Dehaan plays his role brilliantly as the obnoxious, toxic young tearaway Jason, and so convincingly he is someone all normal people would try their damdest to avoid. Thus the only part hard to swallow is that Bradley Cooper's son willingly, and gullibly, teams up with Jason. And it is through their partnership the unintended consequences occur, with each generation oblivious to the repercussions of people who come later, which reflects reality. The significant passage of time film moves through gives it a cryptic Kane and Abel vibe. The film won 5 awards to date and was nominated for countless others. Despite what some reviewers say this gripping film does not overrun. Rating: 9.5.