The Place Beyond the Pines is a 2012 American epic crime drama film directed by Derek Cianfrance, from a screenplay by Cianfrance, Ben Coccio, and Darius Marder, and based on a story by Cianfrance and Coccio. Starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Dane DeHaan, Emory Cohen, Rose Byrne, Mahershala Ali, Bruce Greenwood, Harris Yulin, Ben Mendelsohn, and Ray Liotta, the film follows three linear stories: Luke Glanton (Gosling), a motorcycle stunt rider who supports his ex-lover Romina Gutierrez (Mendes) and their newborn son through a life of crime; Avery Cross (Cooper), an ambitious police officer who confronts his corrupt police department; and Jason (DeHaan) and A.J. (Cohen), two troubled teenagers who explore the aftermath of Luke and Avery's actions fifteen years later. Cianfrance was inspired to write The Place Beyond the Pines based on his experiences as a father. Coccio and Marder, who shared similar interests in film and media, helped write the script.