What drives a man to do something? Could it be rage, desperation, conscience or a sense of responsibility? These questions are brought to the boil in Derek Cianfrance's hypnotic The Place Beyond the Pines. This director's approach to such ambitious material involves skipping the novelty act altogether. In other words, the structure doesn't draw unnecessary attention to its inner workings. It's a story about identity, fatherhood, legacy, corruption, doing the right thing, doing the wrong thing and paying the price both ways.

Despite Ryan Gosling's strong presence, the picture really belongs to Bradley Cooper. The latter's distillation of a dramatic character arc feels like genuinely new territory for this thespian. If there's a shortcoming, Ray Liotta has less screen time than I would like.

Actresses play pivotal roles in terms of influencing the narrative. Eva Mendes displays some vital emotional range as Gosling's fling who turns out to be something more. Behind those deep, penetrating eyes, Rose Byrne shines as Cooper's spouse.

Editorially, the film reveals the strength of determination on the part of cutters Jim Helton and Ron Patane. They don't ask us to trust them. Instead, we follow our own instincts in allowing the story to challenge our perceptions of cause and effect.

I dislike being presumptuous, yet The Place Beyond the Pines could be the first true blood masterpiece of this century. In fifty years, there will be whole essays and books dedicated to the art of understanding and appreciating this modern work of art. The discussion begins now.

(Released by Focus Features and rated "R" by MPAA.)