“Above the Line” is a fun little indie heist comedy that mixes Hollywood satire with a noir-inspired crime story. It’s not a perfect movie by any means, but the story about six struggling actors (all burned by the same crooked producer) who get recruited to pull off an outrageous Christmas Eve heist and steal a collection of Best Picture Oscars is a really great premise.
What I enjoyed most was the character-driven storytelling and the performances from the cast. The six hopefuls all bring different personalities to the table, and their interactions are often the funniest part of the movie. The script takes some sharp shots at Hollywood power dynamics and the desperation that can come with chasing success in the entertainment industry. If you’re familiar with the business, a lot of the insider jokes and industry references will land particularly well.
While I wasn’t especially surprised by the big plot twist (the reveals are fairly easy to predict), the movie is filled with some fun surprises that kept me curious about exactly how everything would play out. The satirical look at life behind the scenes in Hollywood gives the film a unique voice, even when the overall execution feels somewhat familiar.
Creative, funny, and packed with Hollywood insider humor, “Above the Line” has enough charm and personality here to make it worth checking out, especially if you enjoy stories about the entertainment industry.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 