theNomad’s review published on Letterboxd:
Not going to say much about this as I viewed it a good month or so ago (its been an Indian summer here in the UK so I've not spent much time watching films, online or even inside) I'd forgot to log it down here and just remembered after watching Goslings latest film.
Director Derek Cianfrance & actor Ryan Gosling team up again, after their much stronger doomed relationship drama 'Blue Valentine'. Sadly (for me at least) modern family saga 'The Place Beyond the Pines' just failed to gel. Its a tale about a small time bank robber (Gosling) being killed by a rookie cop (rent a nice guy Bradly Cooper), cut to present and the mens sons have grown up, and their lives cross paths.
Great acting, but a script to cry for, the characters felt very one dimensional and the overall story felt contrived. It wasn't the worst film I've seen over the last few months but it was still a huge let down, very forgettable and plain boring.
[Personal Reasons For Remembering]
Ben Mendelsohn's fantastic performance as the weather worn, hooch loving junkyard hick (surely one of his generations best character actors).