Across the Line

Seeing this film as a pre-screener for a film festival, I'm in no way connected to this film, which seems to be the suspicious case with the previous two comments, especially the one from Texas. Not because of where it was from, but in the virtual press release that it seems to be.

This film is a well made potboiler, with good performances all around, although my suspicions about the lead actress not necessarily being the best one they could find (I do freelance casting) were confirmed when i saw she co-wrote and co-produced the film. She's good, but I'm sure someone else could have been better. (Take note, Mr.Skin.com! She ain't shy.)

The story held me, and Brad Johnson is extremely good. Hey Hollywood, get him a new TV series or TNT western! And get Brian Bloom one, too. (An excellent villain.) But if you're gonna use Charlie Daniels on the soundtrack and give him a main credit, give him more than the title song. (If he wrote the score, it could have done with a little less Mexican guitar during the shootout scene. A little cliched.)

And how the heck did Adreienne Barbeau agree to such a nothing role? (I won't give it away why it's so short.) I just cast an indie film with star talent attached, and I'm amazed they got her to do such a small role. (Cowboy)hats off to the casting director!

If anyone sees this in a video store, it's a good 97 minutes to spend. If you see it at a film festival, you could do worse. If you see it at a theater, don't expect greatness. Just a well done good vs. evil film making you root for the hero, and hiss the bad guys.

I was very interested to see that Senora Erez was both a co-author and producer of this this movie. The plot brings out the human plight of undocumented workers who seek only a better life. We see Sra. Erez' impact through various scenes depicting the personal, emotional and every-day similarities between Caucasians and Latinos - showing so clearly we are all the same. The story was very interesting and exciting and the love story arc very believable. I think most any viewer would enjoy this modest movie and appreciate the good performances of all, especially Sra. Erez and Brad Johnson, plus the even, skillful direction by Martin Spottl.

I agree With the person who said it could've been great. I wish that reviewer would've said why because I agree but can't quite say why. With that being said, I personally enjoyed it and wish it had been longer.

I loved the main characters and wish their relationship had developed more. I loved Miranda's family and would've liked to have seen more of them. Miranda's brothers were so likable.

All the acting was well done. A couple guys got their just desserts!

I'm so glad I stumbled onto this film. Good job guys!!!

I'm not sure why my review won't "submit". It says too short but other reviewers were able to post just a couple words.

I will say that I'd love to see a follow-up movie. Maybe see the sheriff get reelected; maybe see a couple kids; maybe see that Miranda continued her education; and see what her brothers end of doing to be "free" and see how they support themselves.

The wonderful acting by Sigal Erez is likely to be the first outstanding thing that one notices in this film. Her character is created with intensity, partly by the amazing acting and partly by the well-written script. But the entire cast is excellent, including fine performances by actors whose work I had not previously known--for example, Julio Dolce Vita, Carlos Carrasco, and Brian Bloom are especially good. Bloom's anger and brutality are as convincing as the reassuring humanity of Dolce Vita and Carrasco. (Bloom's astonishing feat of leaping, in one fast action scene, is among the most dextrous film leaps that I've seen).

The story concerns the troubled lives of border-crossing Latinas and Latinos, and also the equally troubled history of the official responses to these immigrants in the U.S. But the film is never preachy. The action is fast or tender, always moving, convincing, and shot with the art that conceals art. Like the careful and and smart photography, the awareness of the film's deeper resonance is likely to occur to you only later, when you return to it, which I have already done several times.

Movies with which to compare this one include THE BORDER, EL NORTE, and LONE STAR. Nowhere among these movies is any performance as subtle, skillful, and deep as what Sigal Erez achieves in ACROSS THE LINE. And under Spottl's superb direction, this film is an outstanding contribution to that line of good movies. Highly recommended--one of the very best recent films.

This is a fast-moving action film that has many twists and turns. It's a love story, a vignette of life, and a powerful drama all in one. A big bowl of popcorn and a few margarittas and you will have the time of your life watching this flick. Very well written, acted and directed.