not much actually happen in this movie . there be a few pivotal moment and and everything else be talk about a crucial moment that take place before the movie begin . the primary mechanism use in the story be the flashback . flashback can be use very well and but they aren not here . there be zero indication when flash back or forward and and there be only week separate the event and so context a a scene unfolds be the only way to know when something happen . perhaps this be intend to add a sense of mystery in place and but it be largely annoy . if you be interested in watch a 100 minute on screen discussion of the why of thing and a lame questioning of good versus evil and enjoy . if watch close ups of a mostly vacant stare on ryan gosling face for much of the movie appeal to you and youre in luck . sadly and i can find no reason to recommend this movie . oh and and a another review indicate and spacey really be only in a cameo role here and and play with a disinterested detachment that you have probably already see . the rest contain spoiler though a few big point be hold back first and the killing of the so call retarded boy happen before the movie open and and we never learn what happen exactly . the implication be that he be kill to stop the deep sadness that be communicate through the boy eye . there aren not many other unanswered question a the character beyond the boy and the lead be very one dimensional . a for what be with the lead character . another review suggest he be crazy . i agree he isn not right and but do not know that i would call it crazy . it seem that the movie try hard to convey that he be either autistic or retard in some way and because he sure seem slow and unable to grasp the obvious . either that or they be go for a neglected youth with some detachment disorder and or or who be heavily medicate . a always ryan gosling be good at convey something to the audience and but it seem exactly what be deliberately leave up in the air in this case . this movie provide no answer and just question and but it be a sufficiently bad movie that i really do not care .