Mending the Line

Last updated
Mending the Line
Directed by Joshua Caldwell
Written byStephen Camelio
Produced byKelly McKendry
Scott MacLeod
Carl Effenson
Stephen Camelio
Joshua Caldwell
Starring Brian Cox
Sinqua Walls
Perry Mattfeld
Patricia Heaton
Wes Studi
CinematographyEve M. Cohen
Edited byWill Torbett
Music by Bill Brown
Distributed by Blue Fox Entertainment
Release dates
  • September 29, 2022 (2022-09-29)(Woodstock)
  • June 9, 2023 (2023-06-09)
Running time
122 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$379,890 [1] [2]

Mending the Line is a 2022 American drama film written by Stephen Camelio, directed by Joshua Caldwell and starring Brian Cox, Sinqua Walls, Perry Mattfeld, Patricia Heaton and Wes Studi.

Contents

Plot

A Marine wounded in Afghanistan returns home to the US but struggles deeply with the trauma of war. The memories of fallen friends haunt him, and he carries the weight of survivor's guilt, along with physical injuries that make daily life difficult. He is sent to a V.A. facility in Montana where he meets a Vietnam Vet who teaches him how to fly fish as a way of dealing with his PTSD, they forge a friendship that changes both of their lives. [1] [3]

Cast

Production

In August 2021, it was announced that Cox and Walls would star in the film. [4]

Filming occurred in Montana in September 2021. [5]

Release

The film premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival on September 29, 2022. [6] It was also shown at the San Diego International Film Festival on October 22, 2022. [7] Then it was released in theaters on June 9, 2023 by Blue Fox Entertainment, and on demand on September 26, 2023 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. [1] The movie arrived on Netflix on March 23, 2024. [8] The film shot up to #1 on the Netflix US Top Ten where it remained for five days and maintained its overall position in the Top Ten for the first week of its release. [9] The film also cracked the Netflix Global Top Ten at #10 despite only being available in the US. [10]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 77% of 22 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.7/10. [11] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 56 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. [12]

Owen Gleiberman of Variety gave the film a positive review and wrote that it "has a rote TV-movie look and a few bland and rambling passages. But it delivers a truth about those who have served, about the reality of the demons that can linger in them, that’s tough and moving." [13]

Gary Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times also gave the film a positive review and wrote, "That said, the movie is worth a look for its lovely and magical fly-fishing sequences and stirring Big Sky vistas (shout out to cinematographer Eve Cohen), as well as its strong cast..." [14]

Bill Goodykoontz of The Arizona Republic awarded the film three stars out of five and wrote, "But through its setting and performances, “Mend the Line” has just enough going for it to recommend it." [15]

Award

The film won the Valor Award at the San Diego International Film Festival. [16]

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References

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  5. Elwell, Matt (September 7, 2021). "Fly fishing movie is being filmed in Southwest Montana". KBZK. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
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  14. Goldstein, Gary (June 8, 2023). "Review: 'Mending the Line' casts a familiar but effective story about remedy and redemption". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
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