The Place Beyond the Pines

[prettyxcool]

What a chaos at Covent Garden Odeon, luckily, we bagged seats early, and then I went back out to the loo and was surprised to be confronted by a massive queue of people, waiting to come in. When I came out of the loo, heard caitlinmorton complaining about not being allowed in, so I quickly checked if any seats were available and went back out for her! Couldn't let anyone from FMUK being turned away.

Lovely to see so many FMUKers after we all had so much trouble getting tickets and no wonder if they were being held back for premiere ticket holders who obviously did not realise that there were no trailers and arriving at 6.30pm meant they are latecomers!

Feels like watching 3 films tonight. A bit slow in places, so it felt really long, and it was long. The first part was the strongest with Ryan Gosling, and provided a real shock at its end. The second part was cliched about police corruption and are we meant to feel for Bradley Cooper? Then the third part, a flash forwards to the messed up teenagers, was predictable. 7/10

[McG]

Feels like watching 3 films tonight. A bit slow in places, so it felt really long, and it was long. The first part was the strongest with Ryan Gosling, and provided a real shock at its end. The second part was cliched about police corruption and are we meant to feel for Bradley Cooper? Then the third part, a flash forwards to the messed up teenagers, was predictable. 7/10

Totally agree, pxc! It definitely felt like 3 films . . . in fact, the time felt like it too!
(When they move 15 years forward, I felt as though I'd been there for 15 years! )
That's an exaggeration . . . I did find the film long although I was engrossed in the first part and was quite thrown at the end of "Act1" . . . I was not sure how it was going to end so kept watching & waiting for the end!
Did I enjoy it? . . . probably, Yes although too long/slow to develop parts.
Would I have pa*d to see it or use a voucher? . . . possibly Yes.
Marks 7/10

[Spyder_Webb]

Epic. Triptych. Real. Devoid of Hollywood gimmickry, this film keeps you enthralled by cleverly weaving three intertwined stories over time whilst successfully keeping pace. An example of excellent filmmaking, this film deserves both success and acknowledgment. Unfortunately, the former will prove hard to achieve due to its obvious aiming away from the mainstream mentality. Great cinema.

[steve]

Disappointed with this. It was like a slow boiler that needed the gas turning up a notch. That being said my back was killing me, I had a concert to get to and I was missing the City, United match. Factor all those in and that's maybe why I couldn't get a feel for this film.

[martadelas]

First thought after leaving Covent Garden : "Why the .... was this movie so long?" I liked the story, loved the acting, but I think it could have been done in less time. I also didn't care much for "part three" and I think I would have liked it better if they ended before that. Even if it would have been a bit unresolved. After sleeping on it I have to say I liked it and would recommend it, with a warning that it is long and seems even longer when you're watching it.

8/10

[ladylivvie]

I saw this at Covent Garden, got in at 6.03, so must have been one of the last ones to be let in....

As for the film, it started off well enough but then I just felt that it was like someone had come up with three ideas and just decided to put them all together. I didn't feel that it quite knew where it was going or why. The third part of the film was all a bit too predictable for me, and I did find myself constantly checking the time. I'm sure if you like Ryan Gosling, then you will enjoy this, but other than that I have no idea who I would recommend this movie to... 4/10

[badcoverversion]

Well I disagree with the overall consensus on the length of the movie. Sure it was a wee bit bum numbing but I didn't think it outstayed it's welcome and I found it nicely paced and compelling right up until the final frame.

I liked the 3 act structure and I thought both Gosling and Cooper put in fine performances and the glorified cameo from Ray Liotta was also praiseworthy. Things went a tad Larry Clark in the final third and I spent far too many moments trying to recall where I'd seen the young DiCaprio alike (Chronicle duh!)...but this film lived up to my high expectations and with this and Blue Valetine, Derek Cianfrance is 2/2 for me.

On a purely superficial level RG having his top off during the opening credits (fantastically shot btw) started the movie off on a high for a self confessed perve like me. De-aged Bradley Cooper on the other hand, looked like a creepy weirdo. That man should sign a legally binding contract BANNING him from being completely clean shaven because frankly it just makes him look freaky as shit.

8.5/10, possibly an 8 or a 9 on a rewatch.

[badcoverversion]

Gosling tatooed, with blond hair and terrible clothes looked ridiculous

Honestly, I thought he looked effing badass and dreamy and I was not sold AT ALL on his look based on the trailers. I'd say it was my favourite RG look after Lars & The Real Girl, Half Nelson and Drive.

I was shamelessly swooning over his inside out Metallica tee and silly trousers and the heart throb tattoo on his neck....yeah, that was HAWT.

[TheDude]

Epic. Triptych. Real. Devoid of Hollywood gimmickry, this film keeps you enthralled by cleverly weaving three intertwined stories over time whilst successfully keeping pace. An example of excellent filmmaking, this film deserves both success and acknowledgment. Unfortunately, the former will prove hard to achieve due to its obvious aiming away from the mainstream mentality. Great cinema.

Agree totally. Compared to the generic crap Hollywood keeps churning out, this is an absolute triumph. I'm surprised to read so many lukewarm reviews, I had no problem with the length of the film or the pacing, the three strands of the story each needed a bit of time to be told, and frankly I could watch it all over again today. Loved the twist halfway through, didn't see that one coming. Great cast, beautifully shot, and good work by Mike Patton (Faith No More) on the soundtrack too! It's a 9/10 from me.

As for Odeon's so called "exclusive" screening being shared with SFF, it's shambles and I'll do my best to avoid these in the future if at all possible. Wimbledon already had 40-50 people in the queue at 6pm, people split in two queues, then everyone just piled in when they opened the doors, staff telling people where to sit etc. Well bollocks to that, I picked my own seat in the back..

[canadian_turtle]

Gosling tatooed, with blond hair and terrible clothes looked ridiculous

Honestly, I thought he looked effing badass and dreamy and I was not sold AT ALL on his look based on the trailers. I'd say it was my favourite RG look after Lars & The Real Girl, Half Nelson and Drive.

Really? No love for Breaker High?