![]() ![]() “Mel Gibson’s charisma is the only thing that keeps On the Line afloat. And tries to land again.” 1 out of 4, Movie Nation This one dogs along until the cheap cheat of an ending lands. “There’s little menace in the (mostly) unseen kidnapper’s voice, and Gibson never lets on that the stakes are as high as the story claims Gibson’s always given fair value, even in C-movies in his post-cancellation dotage. ![]() ![]() On the downside, the tension I mentioned earlier takes a massive nose dive about halfway through when filmmakers have Elvis looking for the mystery caller for far too long than is necessary.” Mother of Movies “ On the Line takes its time but builds a suitably tense atmosphere this movie is entirely watchable as well as well-produced, eye-pleasing, and more often than not, kind of fun to listen to. ![]() The payoff is also nonsensical and absurd, though, with a heavy dose of pointlessness added to the mix.” 1 out of 4, Mark Reviews Movies “Without saying too much about how On the Line concludes (only for it to conclude yet again with the filmmaker trying and failing to play the same trick twice), those qualities turn out to be, if not the whole point, then at least justified by what’s actually happening here. Mel and co-star Kevin Dillon ham it up good, while the rest of the ensemble mostly seems self-conscious.” 2 out of 5, Maddwolf “Writer/director Romuald Boulanger has a surprise or two in mind, but everything from the film’s forced dialog to the telegraphed shot selection and generic staging screams unsurprising TV drama. Instead we get the VOD hybrid of a Scooby-Doo rerun crossed with an episode of Punk’d. This is a story that should’ve gone harder, like Oliver Stone’s Talk Radio back in 1988 or at least something akin to a disturbing Black Mirror episode. “If anything, the ending of On the Line reminds us something we often forget, that time is precious and there’s unfortunately no getting it back. Recommended for Gibson fans (he keeps things interesting, doesn’t he?)…” J.B. It will almost make viewers wonder if the entire film was an extended joke-but on whom? Weirdly, you have to admire Boulanger’s resolve to go there and then double-down. They drain the goodwill from what there is to commend here.” Flickering Myth Meanwhile, whoever thought the reveals would come anywhere close to working should be put on the line to answer for their cinematic crimes. “ On the Line is never once good or grounded in logic, but usually tolerable in a dumb fun way that is elevated by Mel Gibson’s presence. ![]()
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