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Between the Lines

Play trailer Poster for Between the Lines R Released Apr 27, 1977 1h 41m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 52% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
At the offices of a Boston alternative newspaper, the staff members enjoy a positive and open-minded work environment. Music critic Max (Jeff Goldblum) uses his influence to score dates, while news reporter Harry (John Heard) is dating the lovely Abbie (Lindsay Crouse), the publication's lead photographer. However, it seems as though their relatively carefree days are numbered when the owner of a major publishing company buys the paper, leading to more money, but even more changes.

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Between the Lines

Critics Reviews

View All (18) Critics Reviews
Jonathan Romney Film Comment Magazine Between the Lines is barely about a newspaper at all, more about a bunch of youngish people whose energies are running out, as American counterculture itself had run their course, with the '80s and its hard-nosed principles about to kick in. Mar 21, 2019 Full Review John DeFore Hollywood Reporter For most of its talky running time, Between the Lines is a hangout film in which too few of the characters are good company. Feb 23, 2019 Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) It’s fascinating how subtly Silver is able to explore these issues, often within the nuances of their performances. Feb 13, 2024 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand It’s quite a time capsule, recalling an era of independent weekly newspapers and investigative journalism that challenged the more conservative approach of daily newspapers. May 6, 2023 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a freewheeling and easygoing endeavor... Rated: 3/4 Jun 12, 2022 Full Review Tom Meek Cambridge Day It'll make you miss the storied Phoenix that much more... Rated: 2.5/4 Aug 14, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (7) audience reviews
Kevin L About the only thing 'between the lines' of this movie for me was the next act- a smirk, a self-congratulatory smling nod, some slimy schmoozing or hitting on someone, or some sleeping w/ another guy's lady after the one you wanted flaked off. I found this movie really tedious, rarely funny or otherwise entertaining. I didn't care for any of the characters. Goldblum just did the same bit he's done in 25 movies. Pollard maybe he really just that goofy voice and boyish face rather than an actor with range. Heard, Crouse, Collins (good, though, as the very handsome ego guy), Kirby (laregly wasted), Welles and Eikenberry did little for me. I also thought the dialogue was largely wooden and unrealistic, to go with the fresh out of acting school performances. I really hope the next MUBI recommendation is better. 2.8 stars Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/22/23 Full Review jon c A comedy about growing up after you've already grown up directed by Joan Micklin Silver At the offices of a Boston alternative newspaper named the Back Bay Mainline, the staff members enjoy a positive and open-minded work environment Music critic Max (Jeff Goldblum) uses his influence to score dates, while news reporter Harry (John Heard) is dating the lovely Abbie (Lindsay Crouse), the publication's lead photographer. However, it seems as though their relatively carefree days are numbered when the owner of a major publishing company buys the paper, leading to more money, but even more changes They each talk about quitting while reminiscing about how much the paper has meant for each of them The film barely focuses on the paper itself; centers around the internal struggles of all the reporters and how they process it American counterculture has certainly run its course plus this also hits close to any journalist whom has been disassociated So much talking it could've been another straight to tv flick Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Between the Lines is the most fully realized vision of director Joan Micklin Silver's naturalistic brand of human interaction. Mature, humorous, and insightful, the cast of soon-to-be stars each has room to breathe life into characters that feel fresh and genuine. A real pleasure. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the worst movies of 1977, it was so bad that I was responding to the inane dialogue out loud in the theatre and getting more laughs than this turkey. Don't waste your time viewing it, I walked out after 20 minutes or so of this nonsense, Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member An entertaining movie about a group of journos..you do expect some major change in tempo all through the movie but that doesn't happen..has a even pace and a good watch all the same Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A small time Newspaper in Boston being threatened with a take over and concentrates on the lives of the young journos - mildly amusing in places but just feels a bit"up itself" if you know what I mean Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Between the Lines

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis At the offices of a Boston alternative newspaper, the staff members enjoy a positive and open-minded work environment. Music critic Max (Jeff Goldblum) uses his influence to score dates, while news reporter Harry (John Heard) is dating the lovely Abbie (Lindsay Crouse), the publication's lead photographer. However, it seems as though their relatively carefree days are numbered when the owner of a major publishing company buys the paper, leading to more money, but even more changes.
Director
Joan Micklin Silver
Producer
Raphael D. Silver
Distributor
Midwest Films
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 27, 1977, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Feb 22, 2019
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 18, 2019
Runtime
1h 41m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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