The current career of John Travolta is a bit hard to pin down. For every “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” and “In A Valley Of Violence” (opening this fall), there’s something like “Life On The Line.” One can’t blame the actor entirely, as folks like Kate Bosworth and Sharon Stone also signed up, but it’s a bit of a mystery what on the page made “Saw V” David Hackl‘s movie so compelling.
Certainly, this must be one of the few (only?) movies to jump into the lives of power line workers, which is a bit surprising considering it’s one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. But at least at first glance, those dedicated men and women deserved something a bit better than “Life On The Line.” Here’s the official synopsis:
LIFE ON THE LINE is a riveting action thriller and family drama centered on Beau (John Travolta), his beloved niece Bailey (Kate Bosworth) and the hardworking men who risk their lives to work “on the line” and keep the electric grid running. These unsung heroes brave raging storms and dangerously dizzying heights in their dedication to keeping the populace safe. Toiling hundreds of feet in the air on wires carrying as much as 500,000 volts of electricity, tragedy is often inches away. Haunted by the electrocution death of his brother, Beau is devoted to Bailey and determined to see her go off to college and away from the life of linemen. Bailey has other plans, which include the strapping second-generation lineman Duncan (Devon Sawa), whom Beau despises. A deadly tempest is brewing and headed straight to their Texas town. Beau, Duncan and a legion of linemen are thrust into the eye of the storm and must face down impending disaster to keep their community connected.
“Life On The Line” opens in theaters and On Demand on November 18th.