Between the Lines (1977 film)
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| Between the Lines | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster by Richard Amsel | |
| Directed by | Joan Micklin Silver |
| Written by | Fred Barron David M. Helpern Jr. |
| Produced by | Raphael D. Silver |
| Starring | John Heard Lindsay Crouse Jeff Goldblum Gwen Welles Bruno Kirby Stephen Collins Joe Morton Marilu Henner Richard Cox Michael J. Pollard Lane Smith Raymond J. Barry Guy Boyd Charles Levin |
| Cinematography | Kenneth Van Sickle |
| Edited by | John Carter |
| Music by | Michael Kamen Steve Van Zandt |
| Distributed by | Midwest Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Between the Lines is a 1977 American ensemble romantic comedy-drama film[1] from Midwest Films. It was directed by Joan Micklin Silver[2] and produced by her husband Raphael D. Silver.[1] The film was nominated for three awards at the 27th Berlin International Film Festival, winning two of them.[3][4] For her work as director, Silver was awarded the New Generation Award at the 1977 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards.[5]
The film revolves around a team employed at The Back Bay Mainline, an alternative newspaper in Boston,[6] as they face the threat of a takeover by a major corporation. The key figures in this story include Harry Lucas, a disenchanted lead reporter, talented photographer Abbie, who has an on-and-off again relationship with Harry, Lynn, the kind-hearted and dedicated office administrator, Max, a flaky music critic, Michael, a pretentious writer/author intending to relocate to New York, Laura, a founding reporter on the paper who is living with Michael, David, an eager cub reporter, and Frank, a beleaguered editor-in-chief.[7]
Various subplots unfold throughout the narrative. For instance, Laura grapples with her relationship with self-absorbed Michael, who plans to move to New York using the proceeds from an upcoming book. A party celebration at which Michael repeatedly patronises and ignores her leads to Laura spending the night at Harry's house, before Michael arrives for a confrontation. Ultimately, despite strong reservations, Laura decides to sacrifice her own career and accompany Michael to New York.
David, an inexperienced reporter who commutes on a bike, seeks to prove himself by landing a significant and potentially risky story. A shady record producer whom David pursues for an interview agrees to talk to him, but instead sends two hired goons to meet him and beat him up. Max, Harry, and Abbie attempt to intercept him, arriving just in time to witness David getting a bloody nose.
Harry is drifting in his writing career, becoming disillusioned with journalism and his own ability to create meaningful change in the world. He declares his love to Abbie when they spend a night together, but she rejects him.[8]
Throughout the film, rumors circulate about the newspaper's acquisition by a corporation, specifically a communications empire. Towards the end, it is revealed that a group led by Roy Walsh intends to purchase and manage the paper. In a meeting, Walsh asks Frank to dismiss Harry, branding him a "moving force in the wrong direction." Lynn, the administrator, is the first to resign.
In response to his termination, Harry fantasizes about walking to Walsh's office and shoots him with a suction cup dart toy pistol. In reality, he meets Abbie at a bar. They reconcile and when Max arrives, they leave him there alone. Max cons a stranger into buying him a drink.
Cast
- John Heard as Harry Lucas, disillusioned lead reporter in love with Abbie[9]
- Lindsay Crouse as Abbie, talented photographer, Harry's on/off romantic interest
- Jeff Goldblum as Max Arloft, music critic[10]
- Jill Eikenberry as Lynn, loyal office administrator and idealist
- Bruno Kirby as David Entwhistle, eager cub reporter[9]
- Gwen Welles as Laura, founding reporter and Michael's girlfriend
- Stephen Collins as Michael, arrogant former reporter, wanna-be book author, Laura's boyfriend[9]
- Lewis J. Stadlen as Stanley, priggish advertising manager[11]
- Jon Korkes as Frank, editor
- Michael J. Pollard as The Hawker, news vendor
- Lane Smith as Roy Walsh, corporate operative
- Joe Morton as Ahmed, advertising salesman[12]
- Richard Cox as Stuart Wheeler, publisher[13]
- Marilu Henner as Danielle, stripper/interviewee[14][9]
- Raymond J. Barry as Herbert Fisk, a conceptual artist
- Gary Springer as Jason
- Susan Haskins[15] as Sarah
- Guy Boyd as Kevin Austin
- Charles Levin as Paul
Production
Fred Barron, who had written for both The Phoenix and The Real Paper, used his and Harper Barnes'[16] alternative newspaper experiences as the basis for his Between the Lines screenplay. Joan Micklin Silver had herself worked for The Village Voice.[17] Doug Kenney, co-founder of the National Lampoon, has a cameo role.
It was largely filmed on location in Boston for two weeks,[1] with locations including pawn shops, record stores, bars, porn theaters, strip clubs, and derelict apartments.[18] The remainder of filming was done in New York City, though no scenes are set in New York.[1]
The film marked the screen debuts of John Heard, Joe Morton, and Marilu Henner.[18] Robert Costanzo makes a brief appearance as a hired goon, his second film role.
The Real Paper, Boston Phoenix, Los Angeles Free Press, SoHo Weekly News, and the Village Voice are thanked in the end credits.[19]
The success of the film led to an unsold 1980 TV sitcom pilot, with Sandy Helberg, Adam Arkin, Gino Conforti, and Kristoffer Tabori, also titled Between the Lines.[20]