Watch Between the Lines

Between the Lines is a comedy-drama film released back in 1977, directed by Joan Micklin Silver, and explores the story of a newspaper fiction section in Boston, called "Back Bay Mainline." The film follows Harry (John Heard), Michael (Stephen Collins), and Lindsey (Lindsay Crouse) as three journalists working at the weekly publication, each trying to navigate their way through personal and professional issues while attempting to publish articles that connect with their readers. Harry, the paper's lead writer, is an anti-establishment, free-living journalist who lives a bohemian lifestyle with his girlfriend, who models nude. Michael, his best friend and fellow writer, is less idealistic and is eager to advance his career. Meanwhile, Lindsey has been a writer at Back Bay Mainline for a few years and tries to deal with balancing her personal life with her professional life as a journalist.

As the three of them try to find their place at the publication, the film focuses on their love lives, with Harry trying to find a way to commit and find stability while Michael and Lindsey's work dynamic starts to turn romantic, leading to challenges in their friendship.

At the same time, the paper is facing financial difficulties, with the potential sale of the publication to a large corporation threatening to displace the entire staff and change the publication's identity.

The film does an excellent job of portraying how '70s counter-culturalism affects certain individuals' lives, and the film's themes of counterculture and alternative media still feel relevant today. Additionally, the excellent ensemble cast, featuring actors such as Jeff Goldblum, Bruno Kirby, and Marilu Henner, makes the film stand out, and their performances are witty, lively, and fun.

While the film does have its comedic moments, it's equally well-balanced with drama, showcasing how the characters' personal struggles and the publication's financial troubles intersect. It's this delicate balance between humor and drama, and the film's ability to remain poignant without being too heavy, which makes it a standout.

In conclusion, Between the Lines is an entertaining and thought-provoking film that captures the essence of alternative media and the countercultural movement of the 1970s while also showcasing the personal struggles of its characters as they try to find their place in life. With its impressive cast and original storytelling, Between The Lines is a valuable addition to the time capsule of films from the '70s.

Between the Lines is a 1977 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.