Iffy for 16+
Melancholy, mature drama explores father-son themes.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Place Beyond the Pines is a powerful but bleak drama about what happens when a man discovers that he has fathered a child with a fling he can't forget and tries to make it right, thereby unleashing a series of wrongs. It's violent (for example, a character is shot dead, the camera lingering on his bloody, broken body; other scenes also involve guns, a beating, and more), fairly bleak, and quite difficult to watch at times. Expect very strong, frequent swearing ("s--t," "f--k," and more); drinking, pill-popping, and pot smoking among teens (plus adults drinking and smoking), and moments of heightened menace that will be too intense for younger viewers.
- Families can talk about how teens are portrayed in The Place Beyond the Pines. Are the drug and weapon use realistic? What would the real-life consequences be?
- What do you think of the movie's violence? Is all of it necessary for the story that it's trying to tell?
- Why do you think Luke does what he does? Does it come from a place of good intentions? What about Avery and both Luke's and Avery's kids?
The good stuff
-
Messages: The movie is pretty bleak, but it does put forth the idea that what goes around comes around. And that sometimes, even the most troubled souls will want to do right -- they just might not know how.
-
Role models: Romina is a mother who's just trying to do right by her son, though it doesn't always work well for her. Luke is the same, though he goes about it in a damaging way. Avery is caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place, and he tries mightily to do the right thing -- but at a high cost.
What to watch for
-
Violence: Violent scenes include characters drawing guns and shooting at one another. In one instance, a man puts a gun into another character's mouth. A man is shot and falls through a window, the camera lingering on his broken body, blood seeping underneath his head. A teen shoots another and points his gun at someone else. He also gets beaten to a bloody pulp. In many scenes, a menacing vibe lingers.
-
Sex: Flirty gazes and some kissing. The movie begins with the camera gazing at a man's naked, chiseled torso and back. A sexual reference.
-
Language: Very frequent, strong language includes "f--k" (and the related "motherf--ker"), "s--t," "bitch," "p---y," "d--k," "a--hole," "ass," "hell," "oh my God," and more, sometimes said by teens.
-
Consumerism: Logos for Honda and Chevrolet are prominently displayed; specific mention of the drug Oxycontin.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Teens are shown partying/drinking, popping pills (Oxycontin), and smoking pot at a party. Adults are also seen drinking and smoking cigarettes.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
The First Great Movie of 2013 by MedRed
It's about time! Not since "Side Effects" has there been a plot driven, well acted, beautifully shot movie with fully developed characters for 2013...and The Place Beyond the Pines (TPBTP) takes it to the next level. If this is playing near you, go see it!
TPBTP does well to pace its 2 hour 20 minute run time. The plot development takes its time, but doesn't bog down. A lot is left to the imagination without creating plot holes.
(TPBTP) is an emotional roller coaster. There are times when the adrenaline is high and times were you are left heartbroken. Ryan Gosling NAILS the emotion of his role. Bradley Cooper surpasses his Silver Linings Playbook performance. Eva Mendes delivers a very emotional performance.
I loved this movie. It's one of those that haunts you after it ends. 2012 spoiled me with good movies. 2013 needs more like The Place Beyond the Pines
There are no scenes during/after the credits
If you like my reviews, add me as a fan. I'll add you back!
2
Not my kind of movie by Rebel21
For me, this is not my type of movie. Although the coming attractions I have seen give the impression of being an action movie it was very slow moving.
2
The Place Beyond the Pines by terrysigns4u
This had a winning cast so it should have been anything but a loser. The beginning of the movie gets off on a good start but after that it is a mess of disjointed pieces that are not properly tied together. You leave feeling like, "what the hell was that". Do not waste your time going.
3
The Place Beyond the Pines by stevendbeard
Ryan plays a carnival motorcycle stuntman that travels around the country . He runs into Eva , an old girlfriend [with a new baby ] . He puts two and two together and decides to stick around and provide for his new family . There are some complications ; He has no money [after quitting his job] and she has a new live-in boyfriend . He decides on robbing banks as his new source of income . Bradley plays a rookie police officer that wants to put the brakes on Ryan's new job and Rose plays Bradley's wife . Bradley also has aspirations of cleaning up the corrupt cops in his town .
The title of the movie comes from the town in New York where the action takes place [Schenectady] which is a Mohawk word meaning 'Beyond the Pine Plains' . The story also covers 15-20 years of the fathers and sons interlocking tale .
It's rated "R" for language , violence , teen drug & alcohol use and has a running time of 2 hours & 20 minutes .
It's not one that I would buy but it would be a good rental .
5
Gosling and Cooper do it again! Well done! by sclori
Two words best describe this movie: Fantastic and Heavy.
Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and even Eva Mendes are all excellent in their roles. Great story, direction, acting and soundtrack!
The story is pretty heavy and somewhat depressing, but with just enough action and drama to keep you from getting down about it.
I give it a "must go" but caution that it's one of those movies that you leave the theatre with sort of a stomach ache, so take that as you will.
Overall excellent though, and just confirms that Gosling and Cooper can pretty much pull of any role they take on. Go see it!
5
GOOD SOLID STORY by DONETZ
THIS FILM IS A EXCELLENT PLOT AND THE OUTCOME ......
IT IS A GREAT MISFORTUNE THAT , IN COMTEMPORY CULTURE , THERE ARE FILMS WITH THE DEPTH OF THIS FILM ........
3
A Little Boring by kurtisw
This movie was a little long and boring. It had potential, but failed to deliver.
1
Worst Movie Since Waterworld...Don't Understand Reviews by hugobarb
I was shocked at how bad this movie was in every aspect and don't understand the reviews. The movie was disjointed and like a patch work quilt of story lines that they try to bring together with no real meaning. The cinematography was awful and there were so many flubs. When Gosling goes into the bank he does so with a grey backpack and when they throw it over the wall and it gets stuck its a totally black one. Better the father of Jason is wearing the same shirt from an earlier movie in a scene that is supposed to be "15 years later". The movie never really had any direction at all and left you begging for it to end.
4
the place beyond the pines by fred1950
Very well acted especially Ryan Gosling. He is an amazing actor and captures this role entirely.
The movie was too long and the plot became too "soap opera" like when the two sons' stories are told.
3
Two movies in one...Dark... Pines by soakedinoregon
I was disappointed in the ending. Just dark. The kids in this movie show the exact reason why there are so many issues with kids today. The corruption is probably very true to real life. No happiness in this movie ever.