You are here:

The Line

Name: The Line
Director: Michael Adante
Released: 2007
Duration: 95 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

2007

Director

Michael Adante

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Line operates as a standard genre-driven crime thriller. While it avoids a purely Anglo-centric lens by centering a conflict involving an Asian crime syndicate, the film remains tethered to conventional cinematic clichés. The narrative's strength lies in its attempt to move beyond idealized morality by exploring the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminal enterprise. However, this thematic depth is offset by a lack of diverse character development. Ultimately, the film lacks significant representation for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, or people with disabilities. It functions primarily as a procedural piece rather than a work of systemic subversion.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Line have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The story focuses solely on criminal and procedural plot elements.

How does The Line portray gender?

Fair

The story centers around a male-dominated professional environment involving detectives and crime families. It lacks female characters with significant roles or leadership positions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Line?

Fair

An Asian crime family serves as a central plot driver, introducing non-Anglo-Saxon power dynamics. However, the specific roles and actions of characters of color remain undefined.

How does The Line represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores moral ambiguity and institutional corruption. It relies on traditional crime-thriller clichés rather than an explicit critique of Western institutions.

Does The Line include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters navigating physical, neurodivergent, or mental health conditions. The narrative does not address disability.

Present on Screen

Introduces ethnic diversity through the inclusion of an Asian crime family as a central plot driver.
Explores themes of moral ambiguity and the erosion of institutional boundaries between cops and criminals.

Limited or Absent

Lacks female characters with significant roles or leadership positions.
Provides no representation for LGBTQ+ identities or characters with disabilities.
Relies heavily on traditional genre clichés rather than deep multi-layered character development.

Official Synopsis

Amidst a volatile underworld, a member of an Asian crime family is brutally murdered in cold blood. To prevent a gang war, recently promoted detective, James Jewel is teamed with rogue undercover cop Mike Calis. Against the clock, the officers must unravel the truth behind the killing. The deeper they delve, the greater the web of deceit grows. A place where the line between cop and criminal is constantly blurred.

How are these scores produced? →