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The Front Line

  • 2006
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1K
YOUR RATING
The Front Line (2006)
ActionCrimeDramaThriller

An African immigrant bank security guard turns the tables on Dublin's nastiest criminals when they force him to be the "inside man" on a bank robberyAn African immigrant bank security guard turns the tables on Dublin's nastiest criminals when they force him to be the "inside man" on a bank robberyAn African immigrant bank security guard turns the tables on Dublin's nastiest criminals when they force him to be the "inside man" on a bank robbery

  • Director
    • David Gleeson
  • Writer
    • David Gleeson
  • Stars
    • Eriq Ebouaney
    • Gerard McSorley
    • James Frain
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David Gleeson
    • Writer
      • David Gleeson
    • Stars
      • Eriq Ebouaney
      • Gerard McSorley
      • James Frain
    • 14User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 6 nominations total

    Photos19

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    Top cast67

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    Eriq Ebouaney
    Eriq Ebouaney
    • Joe Yumba
    Gerard McSorley
    Gerard McSorley
    • Detective Insp. Harbison
    James Frain
    James Frain
    • Eddie Gilroy
    Fatou N'Diaye
    • Kala
    Hakeem Kae-Kazim
    Hakeem Kae-Kazim
    • Erasmus
    Brian Eli Ssebunya
    • Daniel
    Ian McElhinney
    Ian McElhinney
    • Mikey
    Orla O'Rourke
    Orla O'Rourke
    • Detective Susan Clohessey
    Gavin O'Connor
    Gavin O'Connor
    • Detective Duffy
    Garrett Lombard
    • Anton
    Maclean Burke
    • Plank
    Feidlim Cannon
    • Robbo
    Walter McMonagle
    • Mr. Sullivan
    David Herlihy
    • Mr. Burke
    Laura Jane Laughlin
    • Valerie
    Gavin Kelty
    • Charlo
    Dagmar Döring
    Dagmar Döring
    • Sales Assistant
    • (as Dagmar Doring)
    Gina Costigan
    Gina Costigan
    • Street Garda
    • Director
      • David Gleeson
    • Writer
      • David Gleeson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews14

    6.51K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    9rick_uk

    Quite simply the most unexpected best film I've seen this year!

    I've watched some films this year really expecting, and hoping, they would be good. Some met my expectations, some exceeded them and some fell short. I had not heard of this film; but it was the most unexpected joy since Everything Is Illuminated (2005).

    It succeeds on so many levels. As a thriller is gripped me from the first beat to the last. The characters were well-rounded, believable and performances, especially by Ebouaney, McSorley and N'Diaye were superb. Where had these actors come from? I to search IMDb to convince myself they were acting! I don't know much about Congolese politics, but the back story was completely believable and horrifying in equal measure. "Documentary" shots and montages worked well to reinforce this. And it made me want to learn more and reconsider my thoughts on the "problem" of "their" immigration. Whoever "they" may be.

    In response to world events, some films in recent years have rightly focused on international politics, the communication between people within and between different nations. And Crash did very well, hence Babel, both of which I enjoyed.

    But this film achieves more than what both of the above did and on a fraction of the budget! I'd never heard of David Gleeson, but his writing and direction was superb. I will definitely be renting the whole of his back catalogue - and buying this DVD. Please put lots of extras on it David! In summary, I was blown away by the performances of the actors, the detail and complexity of the script and the way in which the subject matter was handled. To come across such a film from left-field was a joy and a rare pleasure. I hope it reflects positively on the CV's of all involved and we see much more of them, as they deserve it.

    Great job David and all involved.
    9sergepesic

    Compassion and sorrow

    The world is changing. Ireland used to be a place where people starved and dispersed around the globe in hope of a better life. Today people from troubled faraway lands come to Ireland to seek sanctuary. But sometimes there is no sanctuary to be found, the perils are following wherever we go. This powerful movie was advertised as a thriller, but the thrills that this story provides in abundance are of a different kind.The suffering of genocide victims in Congo or any other place on earth is unimaginable. Hollywood with its contrivances can not possibly match the shocking occurrences that life can impose on some poor souls. The Irish filmmakers took a different path, of compassion and sorrow and it filled our hearts with sincere emotions. Most of all thanks to a amazing performance of little known Eriq Ebouaney. His quiet, dignified presence spoke more than a million words.
    6tim-764-291856

    Modern Irish crime thriller...

    The DVD, in photos online, tell you nothing. (I watched it late night, BBC2). Firstly, it's written/directed by Limerick born David Gleeson (this is his 2nd feature), is set in Dublin, 93mins long and stars Eriq Ebouaney and James Frain.

    Ebouaney plays a Congolese immigrant, who has escaped a violent past in his homeland. He's brought his wife over and they have a young girl. He's found work as a security guard at a bank but past events come back to haunt him, when Irish thug Frain and his gang kidnap his family - all he has to do is be the insider for them robbing his bank.

    It's a polished and modern production, with lots of moody lighting, booming bass thuds and prowling camera, so, so far, so good. As a heist movie, it's OK but that tired formula needs a bit more to get a movie standing out above the rest. Ebouaney helps this, he is both convincing as the new citizen trying to lead a good life and as a human being out of his depth. Frain has less screen presence but is suitably psychotic where he should be.

    The whole thing moves along pretty quickly - in just over half an hour, they're already inside the bank vaults. It's also great to see a different city and its streets to the usual as a setting.

    Such crime thrillers aren't my staple film diet so The Front Line will never make any of my top anything lists. However, if such are, you could do a lot worse than this one for a mid-week rental or if you can find it on Sky somewhere. At the price here, it's just not worth it, though.
    greenbuff

    A Ground breaking film

    The Front Line marks a major watershed in Irish cinema. Addressing issues of immigration and the horrors of genocide in Africa in a contemporary thriller which plays out on the streets of Dublin, David Gleeson has raised the bar considerably for an Irish film.

    The director's previous film, Cowboys and Angels, which he also wrote, stands as one of the best Irish films of the last decade. Deceptively simple and light in tone Gleeson addressed similar issues of alienation and broke new ground even then by moving away from the ponderous and the frankly dour image which Irish films hitherto presented of Ireland.

    Although a very different film and working with a much larger budget, The Front Line is a more rewarding cinematic experience. Graced with a hypnotic central performance from Eriq Ebouaney the film grips from the opening set up in the Garda Immigration bureau.

    Supporting cast are exceptional with outstanding turns from Fatou N'Diaye as Kala and Hakeem Kae Kazim as the sinister and hugely charismatic Erasmus. James Frain turns in a chilling performance as the scariest bad guy ever to roam the streets of Dublin. Patrick Cassidy's music also deserves particular praise.

    I can't think of any other film with which to compare this. Perhaps Dirty Pretty Things comes closest but for emotional impact this is a far richer experience.
    8patrickmercie66

    It's like a good wine, the older it is, longer it goes on, the better it is.

    When I read the storyline on the back of the cover I was sold and had to watch it. I mean it is an Irish film. We have seen some absolute peaches of films come out of Ireland recently. Think of Mickeybo & me, Inside I'm dancing, Garage, Adam & Paul etc... This is up there with them. In the beginning of the film the plot line is a bit thin and the movie is a slow mover but it gathers momentum and pace throughout until the bitter end of it. The acting is credible as is the developing interaction between its main characters. There was no point in the film after the first 20 minutes that I thought 'this can't ever happen'. A big round of congrats to the crew and actors for a thoroughly enjoyable film. And it makes you think and reflect on top of it all!!!

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    Storyline

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • August 25, 2006 (Ireland)
    • Countries of origin
      • Ireland
      • Germany
      • United Kingdom
      • Sweden
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Линия фронта
    • Filming locations
      • Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
    • Production companies
      • Wide Eye Films
      • Philipp Homberg Filmproduktion
      • Sandrew Metronome Distribution Sverige AB
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,681
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 33m(93 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1
      • 16 : 9

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