MovieChat Forums > The Place Beyond the Pines (2013) Discussion > Other movies that start out great, but b...

Other movies that start out great, but blow it in Act 3?

posted 10 years ago by kat_man22
41 replies | jump to latest

Spoilers, duh.

This movie had so much promise. Gosling puts on his "Drive" face, with excellent results, up until his death. His section of the movie was nearly perfect, with a dark, serious, under-stated tone punctuated by extreme moments of suspense. But then the rest of the movie happened, and I was like

So my question for discussion is, what other movies started out really great but then deteriorated for one reason or another?

The one that comes to my mind is I Am Legend. It started out as a really smart suspense/thriller movie. I thought the flashback scenes showing how the virus spread were really well done. And then it turned into a pile of CGI, Michael Bayesque action garbage.

What other movies out there had great promise but failed to deliver?

[–] lorem_ipsum_dolor_sit_amet 10 years ago

The Village was pretty good until it was ruined by its third act--or perhaps just its ending.

[–] Curtis_C_Flush 10 years ago

Just the ending. I think it's still good, but it's one of those movies where you can only watch once, because you already know too much.

[–] JW-7 10 years ago

I go with a little-known movie I just saw called "Mama" starring Jessica Chastain. Eerie supernatural suspenser. Builds steam through the first 2 acts--although pretty repetitive--and then just comes to a very literal, unsatisfying ending.

[–] bear022013-909-645034 10 years ago

Intensity ended when Ryan was killed. Movie over.These older guys are rich and greedy....Liotta!

[–] schall1991 7 years ago

Actually, that's when the intensity starts.

[–] Curtis_C_Flush 10 years ago

Mama's ending was horrible, yes, especially once you see the villain for all of the atrocious CGI mess she is. Some recent supernatural horrors that are actually worth watching are Conjuring, Insidious and Woman In Black.

[–] sheywhat 10 years ago

Sunshine... The evil monster thingy on the ship was unnecessary and brought the film from a 9 to a 6 in one fell swoop.

[–] steffeeric 8 years ago

Sunshine was a perfect movie...without the monster on the loose stuff. This is the one that always comes to mind for me.

[–] tenantennae 10 years ago

Shutter Island

Great movie until it ends with a lame twist that's been worn out for a while.

[–] movieman82 10 years ago

Shutter island yes - great film ruined by the ending.

Signs - I really dug signs up until that epic POS ending. that ending made me so angry I hate the movie and cannot even watch it anymore.

Now you see me - I predicted the twist midway thru the film. I said to my gf if "this ends up happening" (im keeping it spoiler free) it'll ruin the movie. it did, and sure enough it did.

Zodiac - went on a little too long. by the time the 3rd act rolled around the film becomes the jake gyllenhall show, and needed to end but didn't.

LOTR: return of the king - love the first two LOTR movies. but everytime I think of the third movie all I think of are the 10 different endings, and it pisses me off.

these are off the top of my head. but i'll add almost every movie ending with "the leave it open for interpretation ending." it works for some films, however in recent years its becoming a crutch for filmmakers not being able to end their films properly, and/or give it proper closure.

Message boards are here to discuss BOTH the good and bad, understand this.

[–] oh_no_mrbill 10 years ago

I'm gonna disagree with the central premise of this thread. The third act in The Place Beyond the Pines was a beautiful way to resolve the first two acts of the story. It felt entirely realistic, it flowed naturally from the story arc, it was emotionally complex, and it didn't give us any cheap answers. Best of all, it gave each of the surviving main characters a chance at true redemption.

Luke's son Jason was given the choice of whether or not to avenge his father's death, and the intervening fifteen years of pain and loneliness it had caused. Avery's son AJ had to choose whether or not to obey his father and have compassion on Jason, instead of dragging him into his rebellious world that may ultimately prove to be his whole family's downfall. AJ chose to disobey yet again. His father won the election, but in the last shot of the scene, you can see the emptiness in AJ's eyes. You know he is doomed to repeat his own mistakes. And despite the towering odds against him, Jason chose mercy; he spared his father's killer, and was rewarded with a chance to rewrite his father's legacy out West, and above all, hope.

The first two acts of this movie would have stood alone quite well. But the third act elevated this film to another level. It's rare to see an ending that delivers so beautifully on many levels, and feels both true and satisfying at the same time.

[–] mb113944 10 years ago

Well said!

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] tenantennae 10 years ago

1. He goes to live with his dad in Schenectady 2.He's got that mad cream, son 3.They were divorced

[–] Kent_Kainer 10 years ago

Nothing was resolved. Except that AJ finally could apologize.

It felt entirely realistic

In a weird way.
I don't get why someone who doesn't even know his father, learns in his 17 that he was a robber who got shot on escape feels the urge to kill the cop who shot him. oO
He doesn't even have a bad family background to blame a third for a bad upbringing or sth. Loving parents and a decent home.

Dope makes dumb.
And this movie got so damn boring after the half. :/
Before I'd rate it 5-6, but now with this weird progress and unsatisfying end I tended between 3 and 4.

'All beauty must die' is a good movie ruined by the end. Same with 'Vampire Nation'.
'The Colony' starts interesting and goes downhill from there until it almost hits the bottom. So does 'Stranded'.

and the intervening fifteen years of pain and loneliness it had caused

lol?

The pain and loneliness would have the other guy that didn't have such a loving family home. I mean someone who wants to move out from the mom's home to live with the busy dad... says everything.

At the end AJ is smiling. No-one forced him and I don't think he felt obligated to do so.

But you are ofc free to see and interpret whatever you want.
Whatever entertains you, it's your business.

---
Lincoln Lee: I lost a partner.
Peter Bishop: I lost a universe!

[–] tami_jahwood 10 years ago

Well, Jason is white. His (step) father is black and he has black sister. His mom is Latino. I think people have always been pointing that fact at him. He always feels misfit. That where loneliness comes.

[–] mr-something 10 years ago

I'm gonna disagree with the central premise of this thread. The third act in The Place Beyond the Pines was a beautiful way to resolve the first two acts of the story. It felt entirely realistic, it flowed naturally from the story arc, it was emotionally complex, and it didn't give us any cheap answers. Best of all, it gave each of the surviving main characters a chance at true redemption.

Luke's son Jason was given the choice of whether or not to avenge his father's death, and the intervening fifteen years of pain and loneliness it had caused. Avery's son AJ had to choose whether or not to obey his father and have compassion on Jason, instead of dragging him into his rebellious world that may ultimately prove to be his whole family's downfall. AJ chose to disobey yet again. His father won the election, but in the last shot of the scene, you can see the emptiness in AJ's eyes. You know he is doomed to repeat his own mistakes. And despite the towering odds against him, Jason chose mercy; he spared his father's killer, and was rewarded with a chance to rewrite his father's legacy out West, and above all, hope.

The first two acts of this movie would have stood alone quite well. But the third act elevated this film to another level. It's rare to see an ending that delivers so beautifully on many levels, and feels both true and satisfying at the same time.

Well said.

[–] pambosk 10 years ago

The main problem with this film?????? Eva Mendes. If i meet a stunner like her i would definatley not leave her and play with my motorbike in a circus!!!
The character of Gosling deserves what he gets.

[–] jayarebee 10 years ago

You bring up a good point and I can't think of anything but know what you mean. Exactly what I would say about this movie if someone else did not, I am glad some else noticed. It wasn't that the kids were bad actors, maybe the kid with the accent but the other kid always plays that role well as the weirded out awkward teen.

First part of the movie was amazing, Gosling rocks. I guess I would probably say Full Metal Jacket if someone already hasn't. First half was genius, then the later half mimicked plenty of movies of the same genre for about 45 minutes. I love Kubrick and I guess thought of and created the best ending possible for a Vietnam movie, it couldn't have been easy.

[–] ColinInLa 10 years ago

Completely agree with the premise. The film lost all of it's interest and energy with the introduction of the two kids. The first segment was riveting, though.

--------------------
"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

[–] alex-simmons-843-329258 10 years ago

I think the point of the second half of full metal jacket flew way over your head.

[–] pram_d 10 years ago

Felt the same way about full metal jacket,

stephen kings IT ,is also one that started good but ended horrible.

[–] bear022013-909-645034 10 years ago

I agree......Full Metal Jacket.

[–] hecantune 10 years ago

Sunshine, absolutely.

Mama, just watched it last night and I agree. The little girls were great and the movie started out pretty creepy. Then it turned into The Ring/Grudge.

Regarding The Pines. I actually saw the last hour or so first )channel-surfing). Kind of cool because I only had glimpses of who Luke, Robin and Romina were. By seeing Cross' story first, all I knew of Luke was that picture. And the fact that he robbed banks. Going back and watching the first part of the story was a real treat. While I thought the 3rd act was pretty good I didn't care for the story between the sons at all. In general their interaction always felt forced and their story just didn't play out very well imo. I think Dane Dehaan is a great young actor and on it's own, his story was good. But the story of AJ, and the guy playing him, was the weak link. It got a little cheesey.

Back off! ... Way off!

[–] 10 years ago

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