The Place Beyond the Pines : The middle act seemed out of place…?

I enjoyed the movie and it seemed to have three distinct acts - Luke's life, Avery's police work, and Luke/Avery's teenage kids. Does it all tie together? Absolutelybut the whole deal with police corruption felt loosely related at best. Full disclosure: I just watched the movie and maybe need more time to look back on the whole picture again. Maybe there's additional meaning in Avery busting all those dirty cops borrowed from the movie "Copland" all over again, or maybe it was just prolonged character development.

Anyone else have thoughts about "act two" belonging or not, and why?



Take The Challenge: http://www.imdb.com/board/10410591/board/threads/

It sure did feel that way but was the best way to show how he became someone who could run for office when his kid was a teen-so that we could see and understand the teen's issues due to his dad's choices. Does that make sense?

Agree with teraisa but I also think it is another statement on paternal legacy. Bradley cooper's dad was a politician. He tried to be his own man and be a cop and it led to the worst experience of his life. So he takes his fafher's advice to use this experience to become more like his father.

Also, focusing on his career would allow him to ignore the son he can't connect with.