Line [Blu-ray] [2009] [US Import]

People are often scared of straight-to-DVD movies, and rightly so--the recent American Pie follow-ups, and regular Steven Seagal hatchet-jobs keep up the tradition of cheap taste titles not good enough for the big screen. But every now and again, a good film slips by without a theatrical release, and ends up on DVD without anyone knowing much about it. Here we have case in hand--The Line--a crime-drama starring heavyweights Ray Liotta and Andy Garcia, with a story focusing on characters rather than action. 'The Line' is both a physical channel between the US and Mexico (through which illegal things are trafficked), and a metaphorical demonstration of the choices humanity has to take in everyday life (whether the film’s heroes cross ‘the line’ in certain situations). Set mostly in bustling Tijuana – it’s well shot with a subtle but intelligent score. The story follows an aging bounty hunter tracking down the ruthless leader of a Mexican drug cartel, but with the hitman struggling with his past, and double-crossers within the cartel, tensions are running high.

While the script is a little slow, and the action perhaps too infrequent, the writers are clearly focusing on the lead characters and the struggles they’re facing. It’s an intelligent look into how these guys survive and what they have to live with. There’s no doubting the talents of Liotta and Garcia-–they’re probably working with less substance than they’re used to, but still turn in strong performances, and this DVD is all the better for it. Plus there’s a bonus, almost mandatory appearance from the wonderfully grisly Danny Trejo (it is a Mexican drug cartel after all). If it’s brainless action you want, type ‘Steven Seagal’ into the search box, but those who want a more contemplated take on crime could do a lot worse than this--Tom