MovieChat Forums > The Place Beyond the Pines (2013) Discussion > A Modern Day Masterpiece

A Modern Day Masterpiece

posted 9 years ago by kevhead22
3 replies | jump to latest

Let me explain. I'm so dissapointed that this movie doesn't get the credit it whole heatedly deserves. From start to finish I was fully invested in the world Derek Cianfrance created. The first half of the movie is brilliantly shot and paced, and when the second and third act comes it obviously feels like a different movie, but for good reason. People I talk to's biggest gripe is "it just ended...." And I'm like "well yea! It makes you contemplate on the kids journey, what's next? The life he chooses." I don't know, to me this movie is sorely underrated. My only gripe is the horrible wigger accent by Avery Cross' son, but to me it's a 9/10. Sorely overlooked

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] 9 years ago

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[–] schall1991 7 years ago

I agree. I'm beginning to think that there is just something about Derek Cianfrance. I recently watched Blue Valentine and also rewatched The Place Beyond the Pines and both left me FEELING something. Raw visceral emotion. I think this film garners much of its criticism due to the fact that as soon as we become comfortable and familiar with the first main character (if you can say that), he dies. This is immediately followed by what I personally consider to be a absolute bummer of a second act. At this point, your average movie-goer becomes too uninvested to care about what follows (or at least that's my take). Maybe someone wiser and more perceptive than I can shed some light on how the second act was relevant or exciting, but until then, I will remain a hater. For what it's worth, the third act redeems the entire film. I cannot give enough praise to Dane DeHaan and Emory Coen - they really nailed their parts. The last shot of the movie is beautiful and possibly one of my favorites of all time.

TL:dr: The second act left a lot to be desired and probably dimenished the effectiveness of the third act for some. At the end of the day, The Place Beyond the Pines is a bold and often misunderstood film, but one of my all time favorites.