When you get low quality genre based film collections, you have to be aware that there are a few films in a collection that hardly qualify as anything related to the overall theme of the collection. On the Borderline is one such film. On the Borderline is a 2001 direct to video film. The film was directed by Michael Oblowitz (This World, Then the Fireworks). The film stars Eric Mabius (Resident Evil), Marley Shelton (Death Proof), and R. Lee Ermy (Full Metal Jacket).
A couple (played by Eric Mabius and Marley Shelton) are moving across the country (with a baby) due to a job opportunity. They are passing through a Texas town when they lose their money needed to make it to where they need to go. So, the couple decides to stay awhile and try to make money. Luke (Eric Mabius) finds work from a man named Dean and becomes apart of an operation involving smuggling of immigrants across the border. But a cop (R. Lee Ermy) senses something wrong....
Yes, this film is one of those films that are often misgenrefied. On the Borderline is NOT an action movie in the least. So when you are told that it is an action movie, you expect it to be an action movie. Sure, one look at the cover and you can probably figure out right away that it is not one of those action movies where there are big explosions and anything that accompanies big budget action films. But, if you are like me, you will know this and still proceed to expect some sort of action. Well, this film has none of that. Sure, in the last 15 minutes a gunfight happens but nothing to go on and make one call this film an action film. Funny enough, this whole shootout is not even that good. It seems confusing and edited rather poorly with slow motion shots. You know, the kind of things you typically do not want in a shootout scene. With that being said, this film is a drama film and to be honest it is nothing to ooh and aah about. I do find that the moral conflict between our main character. He wants to provide for his family but the cost is that he is doing something illegal. I think this sort of conflict is interesting enough to keep me interested and also feel for the character somewhat (in that he is blandly portrayed). The acting is not really great. R. Lee Ermy gives a good performance and Bill Sage (who plays Dean) gives a fun performance. He just seems to be having fun with his role. I could not help but make jokes about this film and comparing it to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (seeing that R. Lee Ermy starred in both films). The town that this film takes place in is oddly eerie. Like it is not even completely warranted but yet I am somewhat fascinated. The people in town clearly do not like having these "tourists" and it is just funny when I think "What if the town was like evil?" It does build up the feeling that no matter what, something bad probably will happen to this family and sure enough, it does as we see Luke becoming embroiled in illegal acts. The film has nice color to the cinematography. The nighttime scenes are filled with nice dark blues much like the color on the poster/cover for this film. There are a few logic issues I have with this film. If the reader here is curious I would recommend just watching the film itself (because quite honestly it is not a horrible film). Or if you are not quite convinced, read a spoiler review of this film though I do recommend the former as it is the best way to make your own opinion.
On the Borderline sucks as an "action" film but the drama is not too bad. I clearly was surprised that it was not as terrible as I would expect.
