This is a very long movie, so let me spare you the 2 1/2 hours and advise you to skip this one.
It starts out with such promise as it develops the story of bad-boy Gosling trying to be a responsible father to his infant son. But when he makes some bone-headed decisions in a bank robbery that goes awry, good-bye bad-boy Gosling and hello bad-boy Cooper.
Thus begins the second story (of three), this one about a police officer who tries to keep himself from corruption within his department, but who suffers from corruption as well when he uses a form of blackmail to get the promotion he wants. Meanwhile he's an absentee father, focusing solely on his career. Eventually he runs for state District Attorney, which is where the story takes it third and final turn.
Enter bad-boy sons of above-mentioned bad-boy fathers. What will happen when their paths cross? And is it worth waiting almost two and a half hours to find out? (hint--no, it's not).
Don't waste your time on this anti-climactic attempt. Despite great performances by Gosling and Mendez, this movie is disappointing. It had great potential, but fell flat about 2/3 of the way through. Much of the hype over this film was likely due to its all-star cast, but this screen-play and story do not live up to the quality of its actors.
And I'm still not sure where the 'place beyond the pines' is.
It starts out with such promise as it develops the story of bad-boy Gosling trying to be a responsible father to his infant son. But when he makes some bone-headed decisions in a bank robbery that goes awry, good-bye bad-boy Gosling and hello bad-boy Cooper.
Thus begins the second story (of three), this one about a police officer who tries to keep himself from corruption within his department, but who suffers from corruption as well when he uses a form of blackmail to get the promotion he wants. Meanwhile he's an absentee father, focusing solely on his career. Eventually he runs for state District Attorney, which is where the story takes it third and final turn.
Enter bad-boy sons of above-mentioned bad-boy fathers. What will happen when their paths cross? And is it worth waiting almost two and a half hours to find out? (hint--no, it's not).
Don't waste your time on this anti-climactic attempt. Despite great performances by Gosling and Mendez, this movie is disappointing. It had great potential, but fell flat about 2/3 of the way through. Much of the hype over this film was likely due to its all-star cast, but this screen-play and story do not live up to the quality of its actors.
And I'm still not sure where the 'place beyond the pines' is.
