Plot: What’s it about?
Vera Johnson (Rachel Leigh Cook) knows there is something she needs, but he is unsure of just what that need is. It isn’t something small and insignificant either, as she can sense it is an important element, to be sure. Her parents treat her well and make sure she is happy, but she just can’t seem to rest sometimes, due to this sense of knowing that there is a piece missing from her life, whatever it is. Soon a young man named Sam (Ryan Alosio) enters her life and brings the promise of a life in the big city, which sounds like a good idea to her, as she feels some change could be good. But her parents believe him to be a con artist and soon enough, he admits it was a ruse, but then he delivers another massive claim. He says he has a letter from a prison inmate who died recently and according to him, Vera is his daughter. Her parents then admit that she was placed in their care, which explains why Vera felt like she was missing something, as she was missing her biological parents. As she and Sam venture out to discover her past, just what will they discover and when all is said & done, will Vera finally have what she’s been missing all this time?
I wasn’t sure what to expect here, as I’d never seen the film before and as far as reviews, there weren’t many to be found. But am I ever glad I took the time to check this out, as The Hi-Line is a terrific dramatic film, despite some limitations. You can tell the budget was thin here, but the no frills approach works to perfection, as it allows the material and performances to be focused upon, which is good in this case. It can be risky to put so much emphasis on your story and cast, but it pans out well here, since both elements are superb. Ron Judkins supplies a tight, well written script and even directs himself, also with a solid level of skill involved. The visuals and approach remain simple, but as I said, that is just how it should be here, very minimalist and effective. Rachel Leigh Cook gives a powerful, but controlled performance that steals the show, to be certain. I know some folks won’t care for the realist, somewhat slow approach used here, but I still give this movie a solid recommendation, as it is a very good picture indeed.
Although she hasn’t always taken the best roles out there, Rachel Leigh Cook has become pretty popular and shown some true potential, to be sure. She seems to have a strong screen presence and can make even bad material seem likable, which is a good trait to possess, especially in the modern cinematic climate. She has some trouble spots however, as I don’t think she could handle very intense roles, but she does have solid range, as far as I’ve seen thus far. I am interested to see her tackle some more complex, demanding parts, as she could be a breakout performer, if given the right material to work with. You can also see her in such films as She’s All That, AntiTrust, Get Carter, Carpool, Josie and the Pussycats, and All I Wanna Do. The cast also includes Ryan Alosio (Denial, Killing Midnight), Margo Kidder (Black Christmas, Sisters), and Tantoo Cardinal (Dances with Wolves, Smoke Signals).
Video: How does it look?
The Hi-Line is presented in a 1.85:1 widescreen transfer, which is not enhanced for widescreen televisions. This is a more than solid visual presentation, but the lack of added resolution is evident at times. I saw some edge enhancement and assorted other small problems, all of which could have been cleaned up or improved with an anamorphic treatment, to be sure. The image is still very good however, with a clean source print, bright color hues, natural flesh tones, and more than stable contrast levels. As I mentioned, I do wish this was anamorphic, but this is still a good transfer, so I don’t think many folks will be let down.
Audio: How does it sound?
The included stereo option might not have much juice, but this movie never needs it either, so it all works out well enough in the end. The music seems crisp and well placed, never too confined by the stereo limits, while sound effects remain in fine form also. No complaints in terms of dialogue either, as all the vocals are dead on and never falter. No other language options or subtitles were included however, which is a let down.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc has some good supplements also, such as an interview with Rachel Leigh Cook and her real life mother. This is a series of questions that looks into Cook’s reasons for taking the role, how she approached the part, her own thoughts on the character, and a couple other topics as well. I wish we could have heard more from Cook, as she seems very open and candid here, unlike most interviews I’ve seen. You’ll also find a fifteen minute behind the scenes featurette, a selection of deleted scenes, and the film’s trailer.
