From the stereotypical frat boy dialogue, homophobic and sexist behavior, drugs, sex, and booze, I hated everything about co-writer and director Ethan Berger’s “The Line,” a tired, clichéd coming-of-age movie about college boys behaving very badly. This story of a serious hazing incident gone wrong is an exercise in toxic masculinity that’s unpleasant and is trying too hard to find thought-provoking importance about tradition, social status, and moral ambiguity.
In his narrative feature debut, Berger tackles the story of Tom (Alex Wolff), a member of a fraternity at a prestigious Southern college. It’s the type of organization that opens doors to people with very high connections, and it’s one to which every young man aspires to belong. Tom is a loyal brother until he meets Annabelle (Halle Bailey), and his attention turns elsewhere. It’s only when the hazing ritual of new pledges is set to begin (one which ultimately ends in tragedy) that Tom realizes a life-changing decision is at hand.
It’s a story that’s been told before, and there isn’t anything that feels original here. The toxic atmosphere and cult-like draw of a fraternity isn’t anything new, and it’s draining to watch these jerks.
The characters, who are mostly insufferable, unlikable, and immature young men, lack depth. The narrative is a series of hazing and parties. Not much happens until the film’s last half hour, and Berger, try as he might, aims to write something of substance. The end result is something that seems hollow, forced, and entirely predictable.
“The Line” may have had a big agenda and lofty intentions, but it’s nothing more than a pointless, unpleasant movie.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 