Monday, April 22, 2013

The Place Beyond the Pines

3 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema

This one should eventually make its way onto the list of the top 100 films of all time.

A sweeping modern-day saga that spans 15 years, it looks at the lives of two characters (Ryan Gosling's Luke and Bradley Cooper's Avery) forever connected by a single, violent encounter that was over just moments after it began. Think Lawrence of Arabia on a motorcycle.

It's a bit on the long side (two hours and 20 minutes) for you fidgeters out there, but get your snacks ahead of time and then suck it up - it's masterful filmmaking from director/writer Derek Cianfrance, who started making movies at age 13. It also puts to rest any notion that Gosling and Cooper are nothing more than pretty faces - if it were Oscar time, both would be nominated for the best actor trophy. The entire supporting cast, which includes knowns (Ray Liotta) and unknowns (Ben Mendelsohn as Robin, who befriends Luke), is just as stellar.

Wow.

Bonus Bones: 5
Ryan Gosling's character dances with a sweet old dog. If that doesn't get you out of the house, I don't know what will.

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