Life on the Line

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1:44

Life on the Line

R

Released Nov 18, 2016

1h 38m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

Drama

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15 Reviews

36%

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250+ Ratings

A Texas lineman (John Travolta) and his crew risk their lives to keep the electrical grid running during a deadly storm.

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Joe Leydon

Variety

John Travolta dodges downed power lines, but can't escape the clichs.

Nov 18, 2016

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Glenn Kenny

RogerEbert.com

This is one of those "based on true events" movies that give you the distinct feeling that the true events deserved better.

Rated: 1.5/4

Nov 18, 2016

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Neil Genzlinger

New York Times

A terrible movie about the workers who keep the electrical grid functioning.

Nov 17, 2016

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Sean Mulvihill

FanboyNation.com

This is a low voltage drama where the facial hair prosthetics on John Travolta's face are far more entertaining than anything else in the movie.

Rated: 1/5

Nov 1, 2018

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Common Sense Media

The filmmakers behind this earnest, heartfelt drama truly want to honor the brave men who do this job, but the movie is packed with cliches and doesn't really grasp the details of hard work.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 19, 2017

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

The bravery is undermined by the aggressively clichd screenplay and its focus on behind-the-scenes bickering.

Nov 18, 2016

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s b

Not sure why this has the lowest review numbers. It's a great movie. Acting was mostly good. The story was simple, but it really didn't need to be complicated to get the point made. Personally I felt it did a good job telling the importance of these people who risk their lives so everyone can have things just a bit easier.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

Alex H

This going into the movie i thought would be good i thought there would be an interesting story line but its was so bad you could tell john travolta wasnt into it the plot line is very boring the acting is terrible i didnt even finish the movie i was that bored i can not reccomend this movie it is just that terrible.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

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ShawBarrie A

Melodramatic and poorly acted. John’s southern accent hurts my soul. They spent the budget on the name actors and didn’t bother with the rest.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

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Mitch C

Yes, full of cliches. Yes, predictable. Yes, over simplified, stereotyped Texas "redneck" characters. All that said, far more enjoyable than the critics whine about. Travolta's silly beard not withstanding, he delivers his usual credible performance. And the inside baseball of the lineman profession (even if not totally accurate) gives one an appreciation of the dangers involved.. My wife, who is unaware of the critics, expressed how much she enjoyed it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/29/24

Full Review

Evan

Just a really enjoyable movie contrary to the ratings it has.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/15/24

Full Review

Lee C

I enjoyed the movie and have more respect now for those that keep our power on. It takes courage to do this type of work. I watched it on Peacock, I saw the rotten tomatoes score and almost decided not to, the rating was not accurate at all.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/23

Full Review

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David Hackl

Director

John Travolta

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Life on the Line: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A Texas lineman (John Travolta) and his crew risk their lives to keep the electrical grid running during a deadly storm.

Director: David Hackl
Producer: Marvin Peart, Phillip Glasser
Screenwriter: Primo Brown, Marvin Peart, Peter I. Horton
Distributor: Lionsgate Premiere
Production Co: Elite Films, Marro Films
Rating: R (Some Violence/Grisly Images|Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 11, 2015
Runtime: 1h 38m

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