The Place Beyond the Pines [** SPOILERS FROM POST 85 **]

JP Liz V1

Trailer out now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G07pSbHLXgg

Ryan Gosling unites Blue Valentine director-writer Derek Cianfrance and by the looks of it another top performance from him

Icarus Wings

Been waiting for a trailer for this quite a while now. Blue Valentine had an excellant script with some very strong performances - Gosling looks set to keep his high standard with this. Like the spin of stunt driver turned criminal with the additional family dynamic.

Supposed to be out 20th March according to IMDb! Just saw someone describe it as "Bluer Valentine: Drive Faster" - a mix of Drive and Blue Valentine? That just makes me want to see it more! :P

Red Hand

Nice to see Ryan Gosling as a stunt driver criminal.

:pac:

Icarus Wings

Red Hand wrote: »

Nice to see Ryan Gosling as a stunt driver criminal.

:pac:

...but...but...he has a motorcycle now! 'Tis a world of difference!!

I doubt it's going to escape those comparisons but I'm still going to stay fairly open-minded about this one.

Marty McFly

Just seen the trailer for this now and have to say I think it looks brilliant, dont see any comparisons to Drive myself in terms of the feel of it from that trailer.

Nice strong cast with some very nice eye candy provided by Eva Mendes

Kylo Ren

You had me at Gosling.

WoollyRedHat

This has been picking up rave reviews.. latets from the Glasgow Film Festival-
http://www.journal-online.co.uk/article/10252-glasgow-film-festival-2013-the-place-beyond-the-pines

johnny_ultimate

It screened at JDIFF. My initial reaction to it, although with the benefit of hindsight I'd certainly stop short of wild unreserved praise. It's fascinating and occasionally brilliant but not quite a masterpiece:

The only thing worse than an early morning screening on a Saturday morning is an early morning screening on a Sunday morning. Luckily The Place Beyond the Pines (dir. Derek Cianfrance) made the 8:45 alarm and subsequent hour-long commute just about bearable. Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes and Bradley Cooper star. The film marks a step-up for the director - its go-for-broke narrative is an ambitious step-up from the solid if overpraised Blue Valentine. ... Pines presents a compelling melodrama so serious, so sprawling, so proud that it's almost quaint. Yet the film's go for broke approach is also extremely admirable. Unfortunately I must speak in generalities to avoid spoilers, which in this case may well diminish your impact of the film: despite a few developments that border on the ridiculous, and an unusual structure that will catch audiences off guard for better and worse, the film bewitches more than it infuriates. Accusations of over-seriousness are not unwarranted, but if you allow the film to wash over you there are many pleasures to be found. In more than one way it was a surprisingly apt antidote to the sprawling mess that was Cloud Atlas the previous evening.

e_e

An early 2013 film to challenge anything I have seen last year. I was completely emotionally walloped by it and I loved the directions the film continued to take. It takes such a risky journey (invoking The Godfather Part II in its structure) and it just about succeeds in it. I might need to see it one more time (I also want to) but I left that JDIFF screening feeling I'd seen a great American film.

That the film's third act resembles many of the best aspects of Drive is a big plus too! Also arguably a better performance from Bradley Cooper than Silver Linings Playbook.

Sad Professor

If Pines proves anything it's that Cianfrance is capable of making a great American film, though personally I don't think this is it. It's an intriguing, ambitious film that has much to be admired, and which I'm eager to see again, but based on a first viewing I don't think it worked.

The episodic structure in particular is a problem. The first act is very strong, too strong almost. While the second act kind of meanders off with a somewhat chilly, unlikeable character whose story seems irrelevant. The third act is when everything comes together and the film really reaches for greatness, but it's based on a contrived plot point that Cianfrance is a far too hand-wavy about.

The film certainly doesn't lack vision, but there some serious problems with the execution that drag it down IMO.

Josey Wales

Is this film only getting a limited release? It is not on in the IMC Cinema in Santry or in the Movies@Swords cinema.

Footoo

Josey Wales wrote: »

Is this film only getting a limited release? It is not on in the IMC Cinema in Santry or in the Movies@Swords cinema.

At least there are cinemas in Dublin showing it.

Not one cinema in Cork with it.

Sad Professor

It's getting a decent enough release in Dublin. But not anywhere else.

A lot of places are advertising as opening next weekend so it may be a case of only a few prints being in the country and as such anywhere outside Dublin will have to wait till it finishes up there.

Looper007

Sad Professor wrote: »

It's getting a decent enough release in Dublin. But not anywhere else.

I taught it get a nationwide release seen as Bradley Cooper and Ryan Gosling are big stars. It's not shown at Odeon Coolock seen as i haven't much time to get into town its a pity cause i really wanted to see this.

tupac_healy

Looper007 wrote: »

I taught it get a nationwide release seen as Bradley Cooper and Ryan Gosling are big stars. It's not shown at Odeon Coolock seen as i haven't much time to get into town its a pity cause i really wanted to see this.

Just seen a advert on the tv for this last night so checked to see could I get tickets anywhere in Cork and it does not seem to be showing anywhere!!!!!


Gutted! Was really really looking forward to this

e_e

Deleted User wrote: »

a case of only a few prints being in the country

Couldn't cinemas outside of Dublin just get digital prints where they can?

Sad Professor

Almost everything comes on DCP now so I doubt lack of prints is an issue. It's probably more a case of them waiting to see how it performs in Dublin before deciding whether to add additional locations.

tupac_healy

Sad Professor wrote: »

Almost everything comes on DCP now so I doubt lack of prints is an issue. It's probably more a case of them waiting to see how it performs in Dublin before deciding whether to add additional locations.

Hopefully thats the case!

e_e

I'm really looking forward to seeing this again, so much of it has lingered in my mind since that JDIFF screening.

...and here's the wonderful opening sequence (with director's commentary) if anybody's interested:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/24/movies/ryan-gosling-in-derek-cianfrances-place-beyond-the-pines.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Eod100

Is it definitely not being show in Cork?

Saw a review of it in the Echo and the Examiner, bit odd that they reviewed it if it wasn't being shown in Cork!

johnny_ultimate

Sad Professor wrote: »

Almost everything comes on DCP now so I doubt lack of prints is an issue. It's probably more a case of them waiting to see how it performs in Dublin before deciding whether to add additional locations.

DCPs are by and large still distributed on physical harddrives, so while they're significantly cheaper to manufacture than traditional celluloid prints, there's still a costs in terms of replication, manufacture and delivery. I'm not sure exactly how this all works, but there still will usually only be a certain amount of copies knocking around. When a film gets a wide release in Dublin, there would be fewer copies left for the rest of the country.

Even with Gosling, Cooper and Mendez, the film is a tad hard to sell - it is a sprawling two and a half hour long melodrama. Perhaps some cinemas simply don't want to put it up against the current releases? Although given a few high-profile releases next week and the week after, I'm not sure that's the best idea :pac: Still, if something as bat**** insane and noncommercial as Spring Breakers can make it into multiplexes nationwide, sure as hell no reason why this much more accessible film can't.

e_e

e_e wrote: »

Couldn't cinemas outside of Dublin just get digital prints where they can?

Sad Professor wrote: »

Almost everything comes on DCP now so I doubt lack of prints is an issue. It's probably more a case of them waiting to see how it performs in Dublin before deciding whether to add additional locations.

Much like actual prints, only a certain number of digital prints will be available and as such smaller cinemas will have to wait their turn. Generally a film such as this will play Dublin before being shown in Galway, Cork, Limerick, etc and from talking to one of the guys in the Eye tonight they should be getting it in once it's run is finished in Dublin.

Sad Professor

I seriously doubt DCP availability has anything to do with it. Most of the Dublin cinemas will show it for more than a week. Distributors probably spend more money on couriers than they do on DCP hard drive creation. It costs a fraction of what 35mm prints cost and those drives can be re-used afterwards instead of being destroyed.

Rather this seems like a classic case of opening limited before going wide. It gives the Dublin critics a chance to review it, allowing positive word of mouth to spread and hype to build before releasing it in the rest of the country.

johnny_ultimate

If that is the strategy, it might have been an unwise one, as critics have actually been quite lukewarm towards it. Generally positive, sure, but wider response has certainly fallen short of the hugely enthusiastic early reviews. The reviews I had read prior to JDIFF were all in the 'great American film' territory: I definitely haven't gotten that impression from the bulk of newer reviews.

Will be curious to see the general viewer response to it. I think it could be well received, although perhaps not the breakthrough hit something like Drive was.

e_e

I think there'll be 2 stumbling blocks for some viewers.

1.

The lead actor dying less than an hour in.

2. It does rely on some contrivances later on.

Neither of which bothered me given the film's sprawling, almost mythic nature. I'd rather a film take some chances and miss slightly than just play it completely safe. I actually think that some people who've had lukewarm reactions will like it more a second time when knowing the jarring (to a point) turns the film takes.

rossc007

e_e wrote: »

I think there'll be 2 stumbling blocks for some viewers.

1.

The lead actor dying less than an hour in.

2. It does rely on some contrivances later on.

Neither of which bothered me given the film's sprawling, almost mythic nature. I'd rather a film take some chances and miss slightly than just play it completely safe. I actually think that some people who've had lukewarm reactions will like it more a second time when knowing the jarring (to a point) turns the film takes.

FYP

1.

The lead actor is swapped less than an hour in.

A film of two thirds and one turd, really enjoy the first 2 "stories", beautifully shot and well acted. Lost its way in the end I felt, seemed needless.

Its only been on limited release in the US too, had to go a little out of the way to see it.

joe123

This isnt been shown in galway at all it seems. I cant find any listings for it

InchicoreDude

I liked when Bradley Coopers story started, was pretty bored up until then. You had Ryan Gosling play his usual mysteriius character who doesnt say very much.

But the end where the two sons were fighting was all a but silly - why did it even extend the story that far? What was the purpose of that?

Renn

Contrived and episodic. Could see that he was trying to create this aesthetic and a sense of mystery á la Lynch/Mulholland Dr. but failed for me.

e_e

rossc007 wrote: »

FYP

1.

The lead actor is swapped less than an hour in.

That's hardly fixed now is it?

Sad Professor

The third act is essential. The film is about the legacy passed on by fathers to their sons. Without the third act, the film would basically be Drive 2 with a bit of Copland thrown in. And maybe that's the whole problem: a lot of people (myself included) were expecting something far more conventional than what we got.

That's why I'm eager to see it again. For most of the running time I didn't know what I was watching. It wasn't until the third act that the themes of the story came into focus. The fact that so many feel it could have been excised suggests they either didn't understand what they were watching or Cianfrance failed to properly establish in the first two acts the kind of story he was telling.

e_e

I'm a little lost as to why anyone would think the final third was pointless. It perfectly ties up the film's themes and reveals why the perspective changed an hour into it. Don't really get the episodic complaint either because its innate in the film's structure, even for a film that focuses on a different set of characters and eras it references earlier events and has some solid foreshadowing. It's not just a case of "This is a film about x, oh now it's about y".

All I can say is that the film entirely worked for me. The kind of rare American movie that constantly disarms your expectations of it and gives you some really satisfying surprises later on. Was shocked to read some reviews from professionals that fundamentally misunderstood why the film was structured the way it was.

rossc007

e_e wrote: »

That's hardly fixed now is it?

Well your post was inaccurate, so I fixed it. I don't think Bradley Coopers role could be described as supporting.

The film is only about legacy because of the third act, leave it out and you still have a solid film. The third act didn't progress any of the characters.

homerun_homer

rossc007 wrote: »

The third act didn't progress any of the characters.

And the 2nd act doesn't progress

Ryan Gosling's character after his death no different than the 3rd not progressing Bradley Cooper's.

That doesn't make it a bad movie or a badly structured one.

SpaceCowb0y

Can anyone answer me a question.... this movie along with a few others that i am looking forward to dont seem to be showing in any cinema near me even though the release date was last Friday?? I would have thought this was a big enough movie? There are 3 cinemas withing close distance in the North of Dublin to me yet there is no mention of this movie in any of them?

Renn

Not sure but seemingly it's a similar situation in the US - not a wide release.

SpaceCowb0y

That's in bits! I wouldn't mind but they are showing some shite in some of the local cinemas! One if them is still showing Argo ffs! That was out months ago!

Sad Professor

Just listened to Kermode's review and he pretty much nails it. As he points out, the film is simultaneously small and epic, and there's a conflict between the naturalistic style in which the film is shot and performed and the contrivance of the overall narrative. He suggests the film will only work for you if you approach it as a kind of Greek myth (along the lines of the Godfather) rather than a realistic drama (like Blue Valentine).

homerun_homer

Check out this director commentary for the first scene of the movie. Anyone who hasn't seen the movie, this doesn't spoil anything but would probably make you want to see it more.

unreggd

SpaceCowb0y wrote: »

Can anyone answer me a question.... this movie along with a few others that i am looking forward to dont seem to be showing in any cinema near me even though the release date was last Friday?? I would have thought this was a big enough movie? There are 3 cinemas withing close distance in the North of Dublin to me yet there is no mention of this movie in any of them?

Yeah seems they're all central

http://entertainment.ie/cinema/display.asp?UserLocation=10&film_title=The-Place-Beyond-The-Pines&vid=&submit=Search

Surprised as the marketing seemed strong for this one

e_e

rossc007 wrote: »

Well your post was inaccurate, so I fixed it. I don't think Bradley Coopers role could be described as supporting.

He's the lead in the first hour of the film. You're just being pedantic here.

rossc007 wrote: »

The film is only about legacy because of the third act, leave it out and you still have a solid film. The third act didn't progress any of the characters.

Leave it out and you'll have 2 solid acts without any real conclusion. Like I said there's much foreshadowing to the 3rd act.

Anyway couldn't you make he same complaint about the 2nd act not developing Gosling? I think you're also objectively wrong about there being no development in the final third.

DrumSteve

e_e wrote: »

He's the lead in the first hour of the film. You're just being pedantic here.


Leave it out and you'll have 2 solid acts without any real conclusion. Like I said there's much foreshadowing to the 3rd act.

Anyway couldn't you make he same complaint about the 2nd act not developing Gosling? I think you're also objectively wrong about there being no development in the final third.

Spoilers....


Good film this, though I think it requires a second watch.

Renn

Make sure not to read entertainment.ie if you don't want any spoilers.

johnny_ultimate

Renn wrote: »

Make sure not to read entertainment.ie

^^^ easier solution.

Renn

Was flagging it just as someone linked to it above, but yeah, horrendous site with horrendous reviews.

johnny_ultimate

I don't think the issues with the third act are down to mere 'not getting it'. Yes, it's vital to Cianfrance's goals, but the major concern I've encountered is that those goals are revealed to not be all that interesting. As someone who liked the film overall, my issue with part three is that it feels less fresh and unexpected than what came before, with easily the most uninteresting characters (overfamiliar archetypes, and Cooper's son is incredibly irritating at times) - not that I'm saying Gosling or Cooper's characters are particularly unique either, mind.

Yes, it wraps up thematically and logically, but after the film's second jarring shift the film is distinctly lacking in the element of surprise or imagination, relying on increasingly contrived plot developments to get the characters to the emotional and narrative endpoints required. It's still perfectly watchable, and some strong sequences, but there's this feeling that the film is no longer the unstoppable force it sometimes was. It's greatest tricks are undoubtedly structural (and from time to time stylistic), and in fact I have a feeling the film might play altogether less impressively on a second viewing for many. It's that duo of jolts that remain my most vivid memories of my time in the place beyond the pines, and I don't know if the characters, story and themes would hold up to a more prepared level of scrutiny.

Perhaps Kermode is right that it's best received as a myth - but a more cynical reading of that would be the revelations and 'insights' are as old the hills, a lot of grandeur for a pretty straightforward message. Again, I found much to appreciate in the film, but I don't really think it nailed the landing, and I left the cinema both impressed and somewhat frustrated.

I saw two films this weekend (Rebirth and Wolf Children) that also dealt with the impact of parental legacy on a child's later life, and while I'd only be comfortable calling WC an out and out superior film to PBTP, I did feel they explored that idea in oftentimes a more subtle and emotionally resonant manner than Cianfrance's film.

LuckyLloyd

A pretty straightforward message maybe (you are your father's son), but one that hasn't been addressed this well by an American film in quite some time imo.

From the trailers I expected the conventional crime drama, and there is a period of adjustment required after an hour to realise that the film is going much bigger and wider than that. Is it perfect? No. But it's sweeping and somewhat profound. The infant child of the troubled gangster is so often a staple of crime movies. This film takes that and really gets inside it.

The first part of the movie could have been dragged out to 100 minutes, and Gosling's death could be the big climax with the ending spliced between Cooper's acceptance speech and Mendes playing with the kid. And it would likely be considered a really strong movie.

For me, the brilliance is Cianfrance going beyond the boundaries of what we usually see in such movies and actually showing what they hint at. It's like: here's the movie you came for in an hour, now here's an hour and half of what such movies hint at.

Seems a great shame that so few people will actually see it!!

e_e

This is number 4 at the box office despite only playing in 9 cinemas, wow. Easily the highest screen averages of the weekend too.

http://www.thisisirishfilm.ie/box_office/

Surely they can safely expand the film to other locations now?

Eod100

e_e wrote: »

This is number 4 at the box office despite only playing in 9 cinemas, wow. Easily the highest screen averages of the weekend too.

http://www.thisisirishfilm.ie/box_office/

Surely they can safely expand the film to other locations now?

Hope so!

The film is opening outside Dublin this Friday.