There's a good chance that we undervalue our power line workers. We don't think about them until there's a storm and we lose power to the XBox, or if their work holds up traffic. Unquestionably their job is dangerous....but is it cinematic? That's the hope of those behind the new thriller, Life On the Line, which stars John Travolta, Sharon Stone, and Kate Bosworth.
Directed by David Hackl (Saw V), the film centers on Beau, a Texas power line worker with a tragic past who risks his life to keep the energy flowing, while also dealing with troubles at home. Here's the 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.
Just looking at this I'm sure it will be ignored or outright forgotten like so many of Travolta's recent movies. Maybe power line workers do deserve a movie but are we sure Life On the Line is it? We'll find out when it hits theaters and VOD on November 18th.
