7. The Place Beyond The Pines
Ryan Gosling seems like a pretty marketable actor yet for whatever reason some of his films find themselves with a low theater count. With all the love movies like Blue Valentine received I would think this film( incidentally also directed by Derek Cianfrance) would get a wide release. The Place Beyond The Pines did get a wider release but I still had to voyeur to a more distant theater. The movie stars Ryan Gosling as a stuntman who turns to bank robbing to make ends meet in providing for his girlfriend (Eva Mendes) and infant son. This places him on a collision course with police officers played by Bradley Cooper and Ray Liotta. Ray Liotta is obviously right at home here and is his usual self while Bradley Cooper gives another breakthrough performance coasting off his Oscar nomination coattails from Silver Linings Playbook. The acting is full of strong performances but its the way Cianfrance plays with narrative structuring that gives the film an extra kick of uniqueness, refreshment, and creativity. To fully comprehend that statement, youll just have to watch the film.