Lifeline

The movie started well, caracters study was good, the actors were decent, but then I realized the movie was dragging and not wanting to get to the the fulcral point of the narrative. When I realized the core plot only started being developed almost at the end of the run-time, I felt something was off. It ended being a run of the mill twilight zone wannabe but very stretched out. The message had good intentions, but it was written in a very forced artificial way. This could have been a much better movie, if it had gone the sci-fi route, but I guess they didn't know what they were aiming for, or maybe they did, but the execution was flawed. It has a very decent photography, and it's a shame how it ended so abruptly. It kept me hooked until the end, but the cheap ending, and some redundant micro plots, didn't do it for me. The plot holes were also lazy writing. With a bit more effort in the narrative, they could have had an Indy gem.

This movie has a strong message and should be seen. But. All the little carefully planted mysterious things we encounter throughout the story that makes us continue are sadly tied together in the least innovative way in the last few minutes which makes the whole movie seem worse than it was. Not exaggerating when I thought of it as a waste of time just after finishing it.

Almost any other explanation, except for maybe the main character waking up at home from a dream, would have been fine. But even that ending would have made more sense. Too bad, since the acting was great and they made a suspenseful story out of very few actors and sets.

Sometimes all we need is to hear a familiar story. This one is quite touching.

A well executed film with a very solid performance from the lead, which is quite relevant seeing how intimate the whole setting is, almost completely resting upon his shoulders. Unfortunately, the script is trying to be a bit too clever for its own good, putting too much focus on certain details which just distract from what it's really about. Regardless, "Lifeline" as a whole manages to get its emotion through and it's definitely worth your time.

I probably wouldn't mind watching it once again in the future if I feel this is the story someone really needs to hear.

Josh Stewart is one of those excellent, under rated actors but in Lifeline he really gets the chance to shine. This is a thought provoking movie that combines drama and science fiction, as it explores the ideas of parallel dimensions and the question "what if........" While a little slow going at first it builds and becomes a fascinating look at one man's life and choices. It is not a feel good movie but it's ultimately satisfying because it offers up multiple outcomes to the situations we face in life and how we handle them. The movie is well written and directed and I enjoyed it although I went in knowing nothing except that Josh is the star. He always plays interesting roles, and if you're a fan of his, this is a must see.

It's both good and bad that when smaller independent movies get seen they have their big supporters. Because when someone over-exaggerates how good something is, as Newton stated, there will be an equal and opposite reaction. So with a flurry of 10s come a flurry of 1s. I suppose they will eventually balance themselves out as more people see this movie.

And it DOES deserve to be seen.

It's a good use of a small budget, a clever idea, and while the script has weaknesses, it has some powerful moments as well. My biggest complaint is that the red herrings don't quite hold up by the end of the movie. While the audience should be pondering the interesting questions the story brings up, it leaves too much room for debating the tiny details that weren't really the point. But in a movie like this details hold a lot of weight.

I will say, perhaps the best part of the whole thing was Josh Stewart's performance in the lead role. I liked it so much I went out and watched The Collector and it's sequel with him in them. He carried those movies well also, but this is a better role. He plays his character with a quiet confidence with a hint of regret that is perfect for the story.

Go into this believing it's somewhere between a 6 and an 8 and you won't be too disappointed.