The Line
Performance & Direction: The Line Review
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Line (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Line features a noteworthy lineup led by Ray Liotta . Supported by the likes of Andy Garcia and Esai Morales , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Line
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2009, The Line is a Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller film directed by James Cotten. The narrative delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ray Liotta.
Ending Explained: The Line
Ending Breakdown: Directed by James Cotten, The Line attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Ray Liotta, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Line reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Line Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Line incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a action, crime, drama, thriller film directed by James Cotten, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Ray Liotta's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Line adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Line?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Action films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Line
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $7.5M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Line Budget
The estimated production budget for The Line is $7.5M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Line
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Line Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoThe Line Parents Guide & Age Rating
2009 AdvisoryWondering about The Line age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Line is 95 minutes (1h 35m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Line is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Line worth watching?
The Line is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 4.8/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Line parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Line identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Line?
The total duration of The Line is 95 minutes, which is approximately 1h 35m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Line
How The Line Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Line
_**Confusing but stylish crime thriller in Tijuana with Liotta, Andy Garcia and Esai Morales**_ An assassin and his partner (Ray Liotta and Kevin Gage) are commissioned to take down the new head of a drug cartel (Esai Morales) that has taken over for the dying drug lord (Andy Garcia). Jordi Vilasuso plays a cartel rival, Armand Assante a padre, Valerie Cruz a woman that befriends the assassin and Bruce Davison a US agent. "The Line" (2009), aka “La Linea,” is a gritty crime thriller taking place in Tijuana that’s more moody psychological drama than action flick. It’s similar in style, locations and content to “Borderland” (2007), albeit less of a horror flick (yet still containing loads of horror). Like that movie, there are glimmerings of greatness amidst the grey mayhem in the mold of “Apocalypse Now.” Unfortunately, the story’s sometimes confusing which would be helped if you use the subtitles since some of the dialogue is difficult to discern (I viewed it on DVD and didn’t have that option). But there’s a lot to appreciate here, including the quality cast, the style, the melancholy vibe, the music, the poignant drama, the gritty action and several beautiful Mexican women. The movie’s obscure, but it shouldn’t be. The film runs 1 hour, 32 minutes, and was shot in Tijuana, the border area, and Los Angeles. GRADE: B-
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
