Greek life has been widely covered in the media for some time, mainly in comedies such as animal house, NeighboursAnd domestic rabbit. In recent years, however, there has been a desire in Hollywood to explore these institutions more deeply. From Max’s new documentary Bama Rushwhich looks at the sorority recruitment process that has dominated TikTok for the past few years, up to the storyline on Hulu. tell me liesthe dark side of this unique student experience was an endless source of fascination.
Ethan Bergermovie Line is one of the most successful. In the center of the plot of the film, a member of the fraternity Tom (Alex Wolf) in the second year. Not only is he forced to navigate the complex politics and alliances of his fraternity, but also his unexpected relationship with Annabelle (Holly Bailey), a girl from one of his classes, as well as his lower economic status further complicate matters.
“Line” tackles important topics in a smart and subtle way
One of the biggest things Line succeeds is how it tackles a heavy, complex topic in a way that feels authentic. The fraternity brothers are easy to write off as real bullies, and of course, in the film, many of them act like that sometimes. But Line also demonstrates the vulnerability and insecurities bubbling under the surface of these young people that lead to aggressive behavior. It also explores the various reasons why they want to be part of this organization, which stem from more than just sex, drinking, and influence on campus.
The line (pun intended) between victim and villain is often blurred in this film, exploring the different dynamics of power and how having that power can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s not like he’s trying to make some big, grand statement that ultimately helps him get his message across in a more compelling, layered way. For example, Tom is relatively popular and revered among his brothers in the fraternity, but it is clear that he is not of the kind of money that many of them are. He has to make his own connections instead of relying on his last name to get a good job after college, and often feels pressured to fuss and sugarcoat the truth when dealing with his friends’ rich and powerful parents. Wolf plays the title role perfectly, offering us sympathy for him and his difficult choices, while not letting him off the hook for his mistakes.
In fact, the entire ensemble does a good job of giving their characters - which can easily seem like caricatures with less capable actors and a weaker script - a dimension. And the two most at risk of feeling like a cliché are the loud, casual party-goer Mitch.Lewis Pullman) and the cheeky, slick Gettys pledge (Austin Abrams) is the most interesting. Their rivalry drives the film and they are both evenly matched, each overtaking the other several times in their own unspoken competition until the eventual winner is declared in a chilling fashion. Mitch comes from an obscenely wealthy family, but he can’t seem to match his father (John Malkovich) expectations, and he probably got into the fraternity because he is the legacy of the organization. Even within the fraternity, he is a bit of an outcast, often mocked and spoken down by the other members. His mental health is obviously suffering, but of course the toxic masculinity that permeates the fraternity culture, his family, and society at large prevents him from dealing with it in any healthy way, instead taking his frustration and anger out on Getty.
Sometimes it seems that Gettys deserves it - he is brash, disrespectful and openly disgusted with Mitch, showering him with fatophobic and homophobic insults at every opportunity. But Abrams does a phenomenal job of giving us quiet glimpses of vulnerability and genuine emotion that show us that underneath his hostile, violent exterior, he’s just a teenager being mercilessly bullied by a group of his peers in the name of tradition.
Annabelle’s inclusion is also great, and Halle Bailey’s performance proves she’s well on her way to becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young stars. She is a breath of fresh air, taking Tom to wine and cheese nights and helping him study. But she also doesn’t take any shit, and her outside perspective is much needed. One of the most powerful scenes in the movie is the scene between Annabelle and Tom after they start hanging out and she asks to come see his fraternity. The conflict on Wolf’s face speaks volumes - he knows the guys will make fun of him for bringing her in, but there’s also a part of him that is ashamed that he was complicit in letting his friend talk about her. and other black people and women. how they do it. He may even be trying to protect her, as he knows she would be uncomfortable around a racist, misogynistic group. Little scenes like this are filled with a lot of meaning and elevate the movie above the standard dramatic fare.
“The Line” wobbles a bit in Act 3
Line has a gripping first two acts but doesn’t feel like it’s completely sticking to the touchdown, works better as a more subdued film. This may seem counterintuitive given that the first part of the film is as loud as it gets, with the fraternity boys constantly screaming and swearing over the loud music, but it feels more intense when the stakes are objectively lower and stay inside. pressure cooker, which is a brotherhood.
With all the horror stories in the news about hazing going wrong and deadly, you can probably guess the movie’s climax. It seems inevitable, and while it’s no doubt disgusting to look at, predictability undermines its impact. It’s earned and built efficiently, but it lacks real shock, and a more nuanced or darker ending could have made a stronger choice. The core ensemble is so strong that when the film draws on outside forces to start handing out the consequences, the film’s particular tone feels generic and procedural, losing steam the moment it wants you to be on the edge of your seat.
The editing options at these points also seem a bit odd, with some abrupt timing skips and key details omitted. It’s clear what they were aiming for in trying to immerse us in Tom’s overworked, tortured mindset, but it ends up feeling confusing and somewhat incomplete. However, this is a fairly solid conclusion. And the return of one particular theme and character from the beginning to reflect the beginning is especially nice.
The Line is a compelling, thought-provoking film that won’t leave you indifferent.
Line it’s a movie that has a lot to say, but it never feels like a lecture. Its characters will disgust you at times, but there is a gray area for all of them, and while the film never condone their actions, it does help you understand their behavior and confront a deeply rooted history and culture that not only allows but encourages these terrible actions. behavior. It’s a sophisticated commentary wrapped in beer-soaked packaging and sure to stay with you long after the credits.
Rating: B+
Line The world premiere took place at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.
Source: Collider
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