Ryan Gosling is a motorcycle stunt performer who desperately turns to robbing banks in order to provide for his family. But the cops gradually get closer and closer on his tail until they finally have their showdown with each other. I'm sure that sounds like an entire movie plot right there, all said and done. Actually, that's only a part of this whole thing. That's what makes this film fairly different from others. It takes the three act story structure, tweaks it a little bit, and turns this one movie into a trilogy of movies all in one sitting. I found that rather interesting and refreshing.
To mention anything else about the film's plot would give away many of the surprises. All I will say is that alongside Ryan Gosling, you have a cop, played by Bradley Cooper, and a corrupt cop, played by Ray Liotta, who's just as intimidating as ever. They eventually become deeply involved in what Ryan Gosling's character had started.
The movie tests your patience at times, as it did for me once the middle of the first act started to finally pick up. The strongest point in the entire movie is the middle. Everything started to accelerate from there into something bigger than your typical cops-and-robbers flick. This movie portrays very well how one thing, big or small, can affect an entire family, to an entire community. One person can make a difference, whether good or bad. And in this case, that's legitimately up for the viewer to decide.
I really admired this film, and I wish I could say more about it, but like I said before that would defeat the purpose and message of the film, if there even is one. Has the movie got some big flaws? Yes, some that are even nerve racking to not think about. But that can easily be set aside due to the great performances, interesting story-lines and twists that they make, and a tone that is at times dark, but quite beautiful as well. All I can say is see it, and figure it out for yourselves.
My rating: 3.5/4
No comments:
Post a Comment