The Place Beyond The Pines (8/10)

Once again, the teaming up of Ryan Gosling and Derek Cianfrance; and the result was just as expected. But again with such a partnership I didn't think I was getting the best of Gosling. It's as if this character differed too little from his previous two with Cianfrance's story.

And now with Bradley Cooper in the mix, I thought he came in with a huge disadvantage. He felt like the new guy and it really took me a while to get to know his character and for his character to be built up by the story. Towards the end, however, he too shone.

I still didn't see the appeal of Eva Mendes, while Rose Byrne did fine. The performances that caught my attention were from Ray Liotta who was back to yummy no-good doer; and moreso from Dane DeHaan, who could be the next Gosling for Cianfrance. I thought DeHaan fitted the picture very well with his brooding onscreen magnetism.

But the main attraction of this movie should be the story. It was brilliantly written and definitely has an overall sombre mood to it that really told the story.

There was also this brilliant shot from above of the car driving into the woods. Beautiful.