Just because a movie is complex or has more than just its surface, does not mean you have to like it. Or that there is an issue with you not being into it. There's different movies for different tastes. And even those who are into movies that mess them up a bit or make them think, might not be the biggest fans of this. It's all ok, but if you are willing to dive into this (no pun intended),there is quite the mesmerizing movie for you to see.

An amazing cast, which was to expect, when Ryan Gosling is calling you to act in his movie. Who wouldn't respond to that? A lot did and the result is amazing to say the least! But apart from the wonderful pictures (framing, photography),it is the intricately woven story that might be able to get to you. Many layers to break through and a lot of crazy things to sort out. I don't think I've encrypted all of it, but I do think I got the overall message and most points he tried to get across. Again, you have to be open to this kind of movie ... otherwise it'll be a waste of time

Ryan Gosling wrote and directed this odd drama concerning a struggling single mom and her kids in a dead-end town facing financial hardship: she's three months behind on the house payments and her home has been marked for demolition. Meanwhile, her eldest son, who strips abandoned buildings of their copper wire, is told about an evil spell cast over the local reservoir, which was once a town before it was flooded with lake water by the city. Going the David Lynchian route, Gosling (who also served as one of the project's many producers) shows a real gift for capturing lost hopes in visual terms. He and his cinematographer, Benoît Debie, get some provocative images on film: silhouettes against purple skies at dusk, flickering TV lights in an attic room, and purple lights in a seedy nightclub (the pair are big on purple). Unfortunately, the story elements are inscrutable when they're not derivative, and the characters never emerge. Interesting solely as a technical achievement; there's no real personality in evidence.

My interest in this film was piqued from the moment I saw the teaser trailer, though admittedly there wasn't much to the trailer. Unfortunately, it took me a few years to get around to finally watch it.

I've always been curious to see how actors shape up when they decide to venture into other areas of the industry like writing or directing, and I was pleasantly surprised with Ryan Gosling's debut. I wasn't ready for the journey that I was about to embark on into a world rooted in both reality and fantasy. Going into this experience I already knew about the mixed reviews but I'm always willing to give a film a chance before I arrive at a verdict myself.

Single mom Billy, struggles to keep possession of her family home nestled along a street sparsely populated by dilapidated homes. Her teenage son Bones tries to support her and his younger brother Frankie by scavenging and selling copper from abandoned buildings while trying to evade Bully, the resident psychopath. After a few run ins with Bully, Bones finds himself in a mess of trouble he isn't sure how to get out of. Soon after his run-in with Bully, Bones begins to spend time with the girl next door, Rat, who tells him of a curse that has been cast on the town of Lost River. In an attempt to pay off her debt, Billy takes a job at the recommendation of her banker Dave at an eccentric, underground club and from here the story is propelled into madness.

I won't go into the film much further, but each minute I felt like I was falling deeper into this fairytale world as the story unraveled. I particularly fell in love with the cinematography; the abandoned buildings, the city lights, the decay, they all lent to the overall tone of the film. It's alluring and dark. The music is haunting as well, with Saoirse Ronan lending her vocals to one of the songs earlier in the film. I think what particularly drew me in was the simplicity; this is a film that makes you think and can confuse you at times, and from what I've read that's one of the main things people detest about it. I like the idea of watching a film multiple times and picking up new themes or meanings with each watch, it's clever.

At times I wondered if there was a point to all of the weirdness and chaos I was watching, but this is one of those films you can't think about too much. I commend Ryan Gosling for taking a vision he had after visiting Detroit and turning it into something he was proud to put his name on. He cast people he respected and admired, and at times he let the actors and the environment take control. I'd like to see more actors, writers, and directors stand behind a vision they believe in even if they know it might not help them earn the most money or acclaim. I seem to take well to films critics hate, but of course everything is just a matter of opinion when you really think about it.

The Verdict: I give this a 7/10. My advice would be to give the film a shot, you're either going to love it or be completely frustrated and confused by it.