{"id":19435,"date":"2019-07-05T20:35:41","date_gmt":"2019-07-06T00:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kqek.com\/mobile\/?p=19435"},"modified":"2019-07-05T20:35:41","modified_gmt":"2019-07-06T00:35:41","slug":"dvd-between-the-lines-1977","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kqek.com\/mobile\/?p=19435","title":{"rendered":"DVD: Between the Lines (1977)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Film<\/strong>: Very Good<\/p>\n

Transfer<\/strong>: \u00a0Excellent<\/p>\n

Extras<\/strong>: Good<\/p>\n

Label:\u00a0<\/strong> Cohen Media Group<\/a><\/p>\n

Region:<\/strong>\u00a01 (NTSC)<\/p>\n

Released:<\/strong>\u00a0 June 18, 2019<\/p>\n

Genre:<\/strong>\u00a0 Comedy \/ Drama<\/p>\n

Synopsis:<\/strong>\u00a0The close-knitted staff of an alternative Boston newspaper juggle career, money, love, and a new owner with commercial interests.<\/p>\n

Special Features:<\/strong>\u00a0 Interview: “Conversations from the Quad: Joan Micklin Silver” (14:28) \/ Theatrical Trailer \/ Restoration Trailer.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Review:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joan Micklin Silver\u2019s chance meeting with ex-Boston Phoenix writer Fred Barron at a film expo resulted in \u2018a coming of age\u2019 dramady about people who\u2019ve \u2018come of age\u2019; a somewhat autobiographical story of hungry, struggling and increasingly disillusioned twentysomething staffers at a once independent alternative paper facing a possible sale and further loss of its anti-establishment zeal, and investigative, crusading identity.<\/p>\n

In spite of the massive ensemble cast and variety of characters, Barron\u2019s tale is predominantly propelled by Harry Lucas (John Heard), a prize-winning investigative reporter whose career has plateaued, and whose on again \/ off again romance with Abbie (Lindsay Crouse), the paper\u2019s talented but timid photographer, seems anchored in the friends-with-benefits zone.<\/p>\n

Harry\u2019s frustration in finding a meaty story takes him to a strip club where an interview with performer Danielle (Taxi<\/strong>\u2019s Marilu Henner) is hampered by his own ennui of the subject and chauvinistic stance. Abbie\u2019s attempts to interject pointed questions are quashed by Harry, but the news piece presumably becomes a photo-spread – presumably, because as with a handful of other storylines, it becomes clear the film isn\u2019t about a little paper being bought by a corporate shark, but the antics of eccentric staffers, and the familial atmosphere that transcends their petty bickering and jealousies.<\/p>\n

Between<\/strong> offers plenty of tangentially connected comedic vignettes, but there\u2019s never any real danger, threat, or urgency to the drama. When David Entwhistle (Bruno Kirby) is lured to a location and beaten by a pair of thugs, there\u2019s no follow-up on corrupt subject Austin (Guy Bond); and after pal Lynn (Jill Eikenberry) has Laura (Gwen Welles) consider reconsidering a grievous decision to move to NYC with pompous, freeloading boyfriend Michael (Stephen Collins), we never find out whether Lynn\u2019s decided to stay in Boston, or tag along to the Big Apple.<\/p>\n

The inevitable sale of the paper to a corporate crocodile (pearly-toothed Lane Smith) and the obvious frictions are clich\u00e9d, and the finale feels tacked on; a forced conclusion that separates Harry from the paper\u2019s family, and positions him for a new life as a freelancer with Abbie in a follow-up film or TV series. (Barron would pen Something Short of Paradise<\/strong> before working exclusively in television, ultimately creating the tepid Caroline in the City<\/strong>, After You\u2019ve Gone<\/strong>, and My Family<\/strong>.)<\/p>\n

The embarrassment of acting riches, however, is stunning, with eternal oddball Michael J. Pollard (Star Trek<\/strong>\u2019s \u201cMiri\u201depisode) as a delivery boy who sleeps under the pinball machine in the paper\u2019s dingy office; Joe Morton as a (presumably) B-grade writer hungry for real assignments; Richard Cox (Cruising<\/strong>) as the paper\u2019s tired owner; and prolific character actor Raymond J. Barry making his film debut as a performance artist who helps destroy part of the office in the film\u2019s most bizarre scene (albeit one that evokes Jim Belushi\u2019s deadpan guitar destruction in Animal House<\/strong>, released that same year).<\/p>\n

Nestled among the thin secondary characters is music critic Max Arloft (Jeff Goldblum) who can\u2019t write without his lucky red blazer, and loves \u2018sharing\u2019 his experience and career tips to pretty coeds. Max isn\u2019t an important role, but Goldblum\u2019s highly idiosyncratic persona enlivens the film, and the role no doubt pushed him from bit parts to co-starring roles, especially the slightly eccentric neighbour in\u00a0Invasion of the Body Snatchers<\/strong> (1978).<\/p>\n

The lack of major gravitas ensures Between<\/strong>\u2019s dips into serious drama are brief, and the oddball characters keep the film\u2019s tone light. Cohen Media\u2019s DVD features a nice transfer that preserves the grit of Kennth Van Sickle\u2019s last feature film as cinematographer. Amid the songs by Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes are \u2018additional\u2019 music cues by Michael Kamen (Die Hard<\/strong>, Mr. Holland\u2019s Opus<\/strong>), with a particular wailing sax piece foreshadowing his blend of rock and orchestra in the Lethal Weapon<\/strong> series.<\/p>\n

The original theatrical trailer emphasizes the film\u2019s wackier comedic moments, and an interview with Shonni Enelow<\/a> and Micklin has the director reflecting on the film\u2019s genesis, the incredible cast, and a few comments on her prior film Hester Street<\/strong> (1975), Chilly Scenes of Winter \/ Head Over Heels<\/a> <\/strong>(1979) with John Heard, and her best-known work,\u00a0Crossing Delancy<\/strong> (1988).<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 2019 Mark R. Hasan<\/p>\n

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