If having a strong screen presence means that it's difficult for viewers to keep their eyes off you, then Gina Gershon certainly has "it" (the fact that she looks about 10 years younger than her actual age doesn't hurt, either). So it's a shame that her talent is wasted in completely average thriller fare such as this. It's also nice to see Michael Biehn again, but he has the standard cop-romantically-involved-with-the-main-suspect role (actually, I found his partner more enjoyable). Sean Patrick Flanery has the "obsessive psycho" role - a role we've seen about a million times before - and he doesn't bring anything new or creative to it. His uninspired performance is one of the reasons this film is nothing-special; the "TV-movie-of-the-week"-style direction is another. The plot holds your interest until the end, but the "moment of revelation" comes through the oldest trick in the book. I was disappointed. (**)
25 Reviews
More twists than on a pretzel
the_wolf_imdb13 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Basically it pretty average TV thriller, not much more. As a filler between advertising blocks it works. However it much be point or two better if it would be more readable. Some simplification might help here a little.
The problem is the last part that uses really extreme number of twists. There is so much twists in the last ten minutes that the movie allows multiple explanations or interpretations. In the end it is not clear if the patient did it or he was pushed to it by the doctor - both alternatives seem to be acceptable.
The movie would definitely pass with less dead people and would be more realistic as well.
The problem is the last part that uses really extreme number of twists. There is so much twists in the last ten minutes that the movie allows multiple explanations or interpretations. In the end it is not clear if the patient did it or he was pushed to it by the doctor - both alternatives seem to be acceptable.
The movie would definitely pass with less dead people and would be more realistic as well.
okay suspense flick
rondine16 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER BELOW I won't recap the storyline- many here have already done that. I watched this mostly because I am a Michael Biehn fan & it seems after Aliens and Terminator, he kinda disappeared. So anytime I get a chance to see him, I do.
It is a decent suspense flick. The storyline keeps you guessing and, quite frankly, makes it almost impossible to really decide if the good Doctor is guilty or not at the end.
The acting over all is okay. No one really stands out, not even my hunny bunny Michael, lol! One of the things I noticed the most developed character is that of the would-be killer. The movie could've been helped by developing the relationship between Gina/Michael (sorry, can't remember their character names) to a level that made you more involved with them both.
One reviewer here said that a big flaw in the plot was the rape. How could a female be responsible for that part of the crime? But, if you notice, they mentioned that in the would-be killer's past m.o. (and the husband's girlfriend had the same thing happen to her too) was being raped with a bottle. This is how the writer got around the girl/guy thing.
It's not a bad way to spend 90 mins. Would I watch it again? Maybe if there was nothing else on. It does almost have a "TV movie of the week" feel to it. If my review seems lukewarm without the maximum effort, it's because that is how this movie is. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad, it's just not that good either.
It is a decent suspense flick. The storyline keeps you guessing and, quite frankly, makes it almost impossible to really decide if the good Doctor is guilty or not at the end.
The acting over all is okay. No one really stands out, not even my hunny bunny Michael, lol! One of the things I noticed the most developed character is that of the would-be killer. The movie could've been helped by developing the relationship between Gina/Michael (sorry, can't remember their character names) to a level that made you more involved with them both.
One reviewer here said that a big flaw in the plot was the rape. How could a female be responsible for that part of the crime? But, if you notice, they mentioned that in the would-be killer's past m.o. (and the husband's girlfriend had the same thing happen to her too) was being raped with a bottle. This is how the writer got around the girl/guy thing.
It's not a bad way to spend 90 mins. Would I watch it again? Maybe if there was nothing else on. It does almost have a "TV movie of the week" feel to it. If my review seems lukewarm without the maximum effort, it's because that is how this movie is. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad, it's just not that good either.
A first-rate thriller that far out shines many of it's big-budget Hollywood counterparts.
TheVid14 July 2003
This picture was filmed in Capetown, South Africa with expert talent and a script far superior to a lot of recent Hollywood thriller crap (like Bullock's MURDER BY NUMBERS, Spacey's DAVID GALE and any of those Ashley Judd potboilers she made with Morgan Freeman, to name a few). This is a nicely contrived murder mystery featuring a strong female lead and some intelligent supporting players; even the obligatory child factor was nicely handled in this particular case. It's an adult murder noir with some smart character interplay. Choice of it's kind.
Decent low budget fare
NateWatchesCoolMovies14 June 2016
Borderline plays around with the grey areas of the human mind that control impulse, empathy and rational thinking, showing (albeit in slightly stunted and blunt B movie form) us a recently released psychiatric patient with Borderline Personality Disorder who becomes obsessed with bis former doctor. Gina Gershon is Lila Coletti, a prison psychiatrist who is very good at her job. Maybe too good. When she sanctions the release of Ed Baikman (Sean Patrick Flanery), she has no idea the heap of trouble she's headed for. Ed is anything but rehabilitated, just a charmer who's great at disguising his instability. Pretty soon people in Lila's life start to get mysteriously injured, and even killed. She is protected by her boyfriend, Detective Macy Kobacek (a slick Michael Biehn), but it may not be enough to put a stop to Ed's crafty, dangerous game. Gershon has always been a strong force, despite being saddled with a lot of... I don't want to use the M word, but let's say, promiscuous roles. She holds her own as a lead female protagonist in a real world context even better, and I wish she'd get more roles like this. Flanery is creepy without resorting to gimmicky grimacing or run of the mill psycho stuff. Biehn is Biehn, he's just a legend in any role. Most of the acting besides those three is pretty patchy, but one can only hope for so much with this kind of low budget fare. Worth it for fans of these actors (they're all favesies of mine), and a not too shabby little thriller.
stigma mental illness
Nksolberg12 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
In the movie the man who murders the people has Borderline Personlity Disorder. I myself have this. It give us a stigma that we are dangerous. I suggest all to look it up on the net. Yes, it is Fiction, but people do not get the real idea about the illnesses. Borderline people get lonely and depressed and more likely to hurt themselves along with Bipolar and Depression.
Borderline Personality Disorder DSM IV Criteria
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsive beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1. frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
2. a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
3. identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.
4. impulsive in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating
5. recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or self-mutilating behavior
6. affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
7. chronic feelings of emptiness
Borderline Personality Disorder DSM IV Criteria
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsive beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1. frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
2. a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
3. identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.
4. impulsive in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating
5. recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or self-mutilating behavior
6. affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
7. chronic feelings of emptiness
The perfect title.
=G=16 November 2002
"Borderline" is just that. Borderline. Representing little more than a pay check for a slew of actors and production people, "Borderline" is a B-flick from the get go. Gershon is at the center as a prison psychiatrist whose ex-husband is murdered after securing custody of the divorced couple's two daughters. Gershon, who just happens to be dating an investigator on the case, is suspect and spends the run time trying to convince everyone, including the audience, of her innocence. With a threadbare plot, an uneven portrayal by Gershon, and ordinariness in all aspects of the film, there's little reason to spend time with "Borderline" unless you happen to surf it on cable and are in the mood for a convoluted mystery flick. (C-)
Ambiguous but Flawed Story of Manipulation
claudio_carvalho17 December 2004
The psychiatrist Dr. Lila Colleti (Gina Gershon) is a woman with a trauma in her childhood that is divorcing her husband. She works in a penitentiary with disturbed prisoners that like her. Her ex-husband Paul Colleti (Nick Boraine) and she are disputing the custody of their two daughters in court, and Paul wins the dispute. Paul brings the daughters to his house and Lila becomes depressive and upset. She goes to a bar, where she meets the former prisoner and patient Ciro Ruiz (Jon Huertas), and uses drugs with alcohol, having a blackout. In the night, Paul and her girlfriend are murdered, and Lila becomes the prime suspect. Det. Macy Kobacek (Michael Biehn), who is her boyfriend, is in charge of the investigation with his partner Det. Frank Hagen (Eddie Driscoll), and Lila accuses her manipulative patient Ed Baikman (Sean Patrick Flanery) to her boyfriend. However, all the evidences are against Lila and Macy is not sure of who is the killer.
"Borderline" is an ambiguous low budget thriller with a story of manipulation that has flaws in the screenplay, but holds the attention of the viewer until the last scene. Unfortunately the conclusion is not clear and the director Evelyn Maude Purcell fails. It seems that her intention might be to keep the doubt of who is manipulating who, Ed Baikman or Dr. Lila Colleti. After watching for the second time, one possible interpretation is that Lila is so manipulative that has an affair with Macy to have someone to help her in the police department and manipulates Ed Baikman to make him the scapegoat of the murder. In the end, she stays alone with her daughters that was her prime objective. Doesn't it make sense? Last but not the least, the forty years old Gina Gershon is still a very sexy woman and is another attraction in this above-average film. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Distúrbio Mortal" ('Mortal Disturbance")
Note: On 16 February 2016 I saw this movie again.
"Borderline" is an ambiguous low budget thriller with a story of manipulation that has flaws in the screenplay, but holds the attention of the viewer until the last scene. Unfortunately the conclusion is not clear and the director Evelyn Maude Purcell fails. It seems that her intention might be to keep the doubt of who is manipulating who, Ed Baikman or Dr. Lila Colleti. After watching for the second time, one possible interpretation is that Lila is so manipulative that has an affair with Macy to have someone to help her in the police department and manipulates Ed Baikman to make him the scapegoat of the murder. In the end, she stays alone with her daughters that was her prime objective. Doesn't it make sense? Last but not the least, the forty years old Gina Gershon is still a very sexy woman and is another attraction in this above-average film. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Distúrbio Mortal" ('Mortal Disturbance")
Note: On 16 February 2016 I saw this movie again.
She's in the profession?
bkoganbing26 August 2012
Gina Gershon stars in Borderline where she plays a psychiatrist who works with the criminally insane, making decisions on parole issues as to whether these folks can function in society. She's got just the background for it having some childhood issues herself. For that reason alone I can't see how she would get a license in the profession.
Still that is the premise and add to it she's going through a bitter custodial battle for her two daughters which she loses. But as was said in the classic Casino, she got an out of court settlement when her ex-husband and his girlfriend wind up murdered.
Who did it, any number of her patients with whom she's so popular could have. They all like her because she has a big say on when they might get sprung. Looking the best for it is Sean Patrick Flannery who has some transference issues as he has fallen for his therapist big time.
The cops are losing their professionalism too. The lead detective on the case Michael Biehn has fallen for Gershon and they're kanoodling hot and heavy. But for that he might have arrested her.
Borderline is a rather far-fetched tale that really never gets off the ground. It's with some rather far-fetched material for a plot that our players do their best with.
Still that is the premise and add to it she's going through a bitter custodial battle for her two daughters which she loses. But as was said in the classic Casino, she got an out of court settlement when her ex-husband and his girlfriend wind up murdered.
Who did it, any number of her patients with whom she's so popular could have. They all like her because she has a big say on when they might get sprung. Looking the best for it is Sean Patrick Flannery who has some transference issues as he has fallen for his therapist big time.
The cops are losing their professionalism too. The lead detective on the case Michael Biehn has fallen for Gershon and they're kanoodling hot and heavy. But for that he might have arrested her.
Borderline is a rather far-fetched tale that really never gets off the ground. It's with some rather far-fetched material for a plot that our players do their best with.
Birds of a feather stick together
sol121820 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
**SPOILERS** Losing custody of her two young daughters Susan & Rebecca, sisters in real life Natasha & Daniella Napoli, because of the hours she keeps and the people that she deals with prison psychiatrist Dr. Lila Coletti, Gina Gershon, is sent into a deep depression. Lila Unable to do her work, counseling and rehabilitating mentally derange and dangerous convicts, at the state penitentiary starts to feel lost and worthless.
The first evening the two girls are with their father and his fiancée Paul Coletti and Jenny Kemp,Nick Boranie & Carolyn Balogh, someone breaks into the house and brutally murders them yet leaving the two sisters alone and unhurt. Right away the suspicion of who killed Mr. Coletti and Jenny falls on Dr. Coletti. She had the most to gain by their death with her getting custody of her daughters and the Coletti estate, including the house, worth some two million dollars.
Were put right on to who may have been the possible double murder on two former prison inmates whom Dr. Coletti dealt with Ciro Ruiz, Jon Huentas, and Ed Brinkman, Sean Patrick Flanery. The two not only were given parole because Dr. Coletti positive evaluation of them before the prison review board but because they both seemed to have become very infatuated with her. To the point of willing, like Ciro told her, to commit murder in her behalf. As for Lila's part she turns out to be secretly in love with the police detective that's been put on her husbands and his girlfriends murder case Det. Macy Kobacek, Michael Biehn.
The movie leaves a number of baffling clues to both the police and audience that has to do with Lila's mental condition. Not just over her loss, to her husband Paul, of her two daughters but her own childhood where both she and her mom were abused by her deranged father. This childhood experience left Lila feeling that somehow he was killed by her or someone else in the family to put an end to their suffering. Ed Baikman whom we soon find out had the same kind of abusive childhood as Lila was put away for some twenty years after murdering both his parents. That's what seemed to have bonded him with Lila who was responsible for his overcoming his anger and inability to function in a free society.
Being a suspect in Paul & Jenny's murder becomes more evident when the recently released convict Ciro Ruiz who was seen with Lila, who lied about it to the police, the night of the murders is found dead of an overdose from shooting himself up with drugs that come from the prison pharmacy. Only Lila had access to to the drugs that killed Ruiz! Arrested for murder and put behind bars Lila is in the same prison where she worked at as the prison psychiatrist.
It's when Lila is arrested and put in prison when the movie gets really convoluted. First Lila isn't able to make bail, this for a double-murder?, and later is let out to find who really murdered Paul & Jenny! Were then lead to believe that their killer non-other then the weirdo Ed Baikman who seemed to worship the very ground that Lila walks on.
Ed mad at Lila because she turned down his advances goes to another psychiatrist Dr. Karen Kendler, Louise Barnes. This causes Lila to storm into Dr. Kendler's office and let her know in no uncertain terms what a mad and dangerous person her new patient is thus having her drop Ed from treatment.
The movie goes to it's totally unbelievable and mind twisting conclusion with Lila and Ed's unusual connection to Paul and Jenny's murders that takes us, the audience, into this never never land of madness and insanity. We have Lila's confused and by now flabbergasted boyfriend Det. Kobecek , who suddenly and unexpectedly pops up out of nowhere, only get it in the neck as Lila & Ed have it out with each other. This gives you the impression that both of them must have been cut with the same cookie cutter, out of the same dough, in how crazy and off-the-wall they both act.
The ending****MAJOR SPOILERS**** is a real shocker, if you can somehow figure it out. Lila & Ed, had this whole scenario planned right from the start and sucked the love-sick and clueless Det. Kobecek into it making him the fall guy to take the blame, posthumously, for the twin murders! Were also lead to believe that their, Lila & Ed, in some way also related in a photo that we see as the movie draws to a close.
The first evening the two girls are with their father and his fiancée Paul Coletti and Jenny Kemp,Nick Boranie & Carolyn Balogh, someone breaks into the house and brutally murders them yet leaving the two sisters alone and unhurt. Right away the suspicion of who killed Mr. Coletti and Jenny falls on Dr. Coletti. She had the most to gain by their death with her getting custody of her daughters and the Coletti estate, including the house, worth some two million dollars.
Were put right on to who may have been the possible double murder on two former prison inmates whom Dr. Coletti dealt with Ciro Ruiz, Jon Huentas, and Ed Brinkman, Sean Patrick Flanery. The two not only were given parole because Dr. Coletti positive evaluation of them before the prison review board but because they both seemed to have become very infatuated with her. To the point of willing, like Ciro told her, to commit murder in her behalf. As for Lila's part she turns out to be secretly in love with the police detective that's been put on her husbands and his girlfriends murder case Det. Macy Kobacek, Michael Biehn.
The movie leaves a number of baffling clues to both the police and audience that has to do with Lila's mental condition. Not just over her loss, to her husband Paul, of her two daughters but her own childhood where both she and her mom were abused by her deranged father. This childhood experience left Lila feeling that somehow he was killed by her or someone else in the family to put an end to their suffering. Ed Baikman whom we soon find out had the same kind of abusive childhood as Lila was put away for some twenty years after murdering both his parents. That's what seemed to have bonded him with Lila who was responsible for his overcoming his anger and inability to function in a free society.
Being a suspect in Paul & Jenny's murder becomes more evident when the recently released convict Ciro Ruiz who was seen with Lila, who lied about it to the police, the night of the murders is found dead of an overdose from shooting himself up with drugs that come from the prison pharmacy. Only Lila had access to to the drugs that killed Ruiz! Arrested for murder and put behind bars Lila is in the same prison where she worked at as the prison psychiatrist.
It's when Lila is arrested and put in prison when the movie gets really convoluted. First Lila isn't able to make bail, this for a double-murder?, and later is let out to find who really murdered Paul & Jenny! Were then lead to believe that their killer non-other then the weirdo Ed Baikman who seemed to worship the very ground that Lila walks on.
Ed mad at Lila because she turned down his advances goes to another psychiatrist Dr. Karen Kendler, Louise Barnes. This causes Lila to storm into Dr. Kendler's office and let her know in no uncertain terms what a mad and dangerous person her new patient is thus having her drop Ed from treatment.
The movie goes to it's totally unbelievable and mind twisting conclusion with Lila and Ed's unusual connection to Paul and Jenny's murders that takes us, the audience, into this never never land of madness and insanity. We have Lila's confused and by now flabbergasted boyfriend Det. Kobecek , who suddenly and unexpectedly pops up out of nowhere, only get it in the neck as Lila & Ed have it out with each other. This gives you the impression that both of them must have been cut with the same cookie cutter, out of the same dough, in how crazy and off-the-wall they both act.
The ending****MAJOR SPOILERS**** is a real shocker, if you can somehow figure it out. Lila & Ed, had this whole scenario planned right from the start and sucked the love-sick and clueless Det. Kobecek into it making him the fall guy to take the blame, posthumously, for the twin murders! Were also lead to believe that their, Lila & Ed, in some way also related in a photo that we see as the movie draws to a close.
Bland
gavin69429 November 2017
During her divorce, Dr. Lila Coletti (Gina Gershon), a criminal psychiatrist, loses custody of her two daughters, partially because her job working with the criminally insane is dangerous.
This has everything necessary to be a good thriller. But yet, it just comes off as boring. Gershon's mouth is horribly distracting and Sean Patrick Flannery is a decent actor but such a horrible human being that it is hard to focus on his performance.
Most disturbing, this film takes its name from a classic film noir. Yet, it has no connection to it, makes no nod to it, and is a vastly inferior film.
This has everything necessary to be a good thriller. But yet, it just comes off as boring. Gershon's mouth is horribly distracting and Sean Patrick Flannery is a decent actor but such a horrible human being that it is hard to focus on his performance.
Most disturbing, this film takes its name from a classic film noir. Yet, it has no connection to it, makes no nod to it, and is a vastly inferior film.
Tense Suspense!
MichaelWeihn30 January 2003
Here's a little nugget made for cable that revolves around a psychiatrist played by Gina Gershon. Her ex husband is murdered the day he's granted custody of the children. The lead investigator on the case played by Michael Biehn is her boyfriend. One of the suspects is a former patient played by Sean Patrick Flanery. The movie leaves enough unsaid to conclude what you will & develops gradually in a matter fitting to aid the suspense. The acting is top notch with great directing as well.
Big Mistake
thehypnosisplace7 January 2009
Although this was a good movie with a decent storyline, they made a large flaw, I could not overlook.
Her boyfriend which is part of the Police Department, and working on the case, is trying to keep her from being arrested and accused of this crime. Half way through the movie, he takes her to the scene of the crime, because the evidence keeps mounting against her. While there he tells her how they believe things happened. According to him, they believe that her ex was tied and bleeding to death, while he laid there and witnessed his soon to be new wife's rape and murder. Read that last sentence carefully. Does the word RAPE stand out at all. This is a woman who RAPED and left semen behind, after she over came her ex, with the other woman present. Ties and left him bleeding to death, and then went to work raping the other woman, and then killing her.
Something just a tad bid wrong with this whole picture, don't ya think?
Her boyfriend which is part of the Police Department, and working on the case, is trying to keep her from being arrested and accused of this crime. Half way through the movie, he takes her to the scene of the crime, because the evidence keeps mounting against her. While there he tells her how they believe things happened. According to him, they believe that her ex was tied and bleeding to death, while he laid there and witnessed his soon to be new wife's rape and murder. Read that last sentence carefully. Does the word RAPE stand out at all. This is a woman who RAPED and left semen behind, after she over came her ex, with the other woman present. Ties and left him bleeding to death, and then went to work raping the other woman, and then killing her.
Something just a tad bid wrong with this whole picture, don't ya think?
A movie with great potential that wasn't reached.
little-saint8 December 2005
A little bit of a let down. Personal opinion, this was a movie with much more potential that was never allowed to reach that. Sean Patrick Flanery has good moments in the movie, but as a whole his performance doesn't come close to some of his other movies like Powder and Boondock Saints. This is the first movie I saw of Gina Gershon, I definitely want to see more movies, not because she was so good in this one, but because it seems as if she is capable of so much more. Many components could have been put together so much better. The music for instance doesn't always seem to suit the situation, A+ for effort, but it just wasn't there yet. There were all the ingredients for a good thriller, just not enough of everything, so instead of a cake, you got a cupcake. Unfortunately, masterpiece is not the first word that jumps to mind. It's a good storyline, not predictable. It is an interesting storyline, Some good actors, great potential, but something didn't quite work. not a movie to rent out, but if you can't sleep and it happens to be on the television, go ahead.
Borderline 2002 Xx
DMX78614 September 2020
Connect The Dots
refinedsugar30 May 2023
Dr. Coletti (Gina Gershon) is a prison psychiatrist working with mentally unwell inmates. Her ex-husband wins custody of their children and on the same day him and his new girlfriend show up dead. The doc says it's one of her released patients (Sean Thomas Flaney) obsessed with her. See where this is going yet? Her boyfriend (Michael Biehn) just happens to be one of the detectives investigating the case too. Try to suspend your disbelief.
Beyond the likable faces, 'Borderline' is a below average thriller. Some people think the ending is left up to interpretation. I think it's pretty clear cut. This might have been sufficient on late night TV twenty years ago, but that's where it should stay. The cast will get you in the door here only to be disappointed by a fairly poor flick.
Beyond the likable faces, 'Borderline' is a below average thriller. Some people think the ending is left up to interpretation. I think it's pretty clear cut. This might have been sufficient on late night TV twenty years ago, but that's where it should stay. The cast will get you in the door here only to be disappointed by a fairly poor flick.
Borderline lives up to its name as a "borderline" mystery thriller
Turfseer18 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A 2002 TV movie, Borderline starts out with an interesting enough premise in which a prison psychiatrist Dr. Lila Coleti (Gina Gershon) is caught up in a nasty divorce with her husband Paul (Nick Boraine). Soon enough Paul wins custody of Lila's two daughters and she tells her own therapist she wishes him dead.
As it turns out Paul and his girlfriend are murdered by an unknown assailant and Lila's boyfriend, Detective Macy Kobacek (Michael Biehn) ends up heading the investigation into the murders.
At first we're kept guessing as to who murdered Lila's ex. Was it Lila or some of her ex-con patients now out on parole and who might harbor a grudge against her?
About halfway through the suspense ends when we find out Lila's former charge--psychopathic criminal Ed Baikman (Sean Patrick Flanery)--did the deed in his twisted way of attempting to aid the beleaguered Lila.
Once we find out it's Baikman who is the killer, we gradually lose interest in what's happening on the screen. The only excitement is how Lila is able to fend Baikman off once he loses interest in her and attempts to do her in.
Gershon and the rest of the principals do an adequate job here, but the script ultimately fails them.
Indeed, Borderline lives up to its name as it's a "borderline" potboiler that may or may not keep your interest for its entire 1 hour and 34 minute running time.
As it turns out Paul and his girlfriend are murdered by an unknown assailant and Lila's boyfriend, Detective Macy Kobacek (Michael Biehn) ends up heading the investigation into the murders.
At first we're kept guessing as to who murdered Lila's ex. Was it Lila or some of her ex-con patients now out on parole and who might harbor a grudge against her?
About halfway through the suspense ends when we find out Lila's former charge--psychopathic criminal Ed Baikman (Sean Patrick Flanery)--did the deed in his twisted way of attempting to aid the beleaguered Lila.
Once we find out it's Baikman who is the killer, we gradually lose interest in what's happening on the screen. The only excitement is how Lila is able to fend Baikman off once he loses interest in her and attempts to do her in.
Gershon and the rest of the principals do an adequate job here, but the script ultimately fails them.
Indeed, Borderline lives up to its name as it's a "borderline" potboiler that may or may not keep your interest for its entire 1 hour and 34 minute running time.
A decent thriller
Smells_Like_Cheese27 July 2005
I'll let you know now, I've seen better thrillers. But "Borderline" is definitely worth the watch. I am a huge fan of the hot Sean Patrick Flannery(one of the world's most under rated actors), the beautiful Gina Gershan(again, very under rated), and the handsome Michael Biehn(he's a good actor; no comment). So, when I saw the cover to this movie, I was immediately excited to see such fine actors together. The story is about a woman who is fighting for custody of her two daughters and looses them to her ex-husband due to her jail-psychiatrist job that every in-mate admires her for. When her ex-husband and his fiancée' are murdered the night that she looses her children to him, things look suspicious obviously. She wanted her kids, she was still the one to take it all in her ex's will, and that she wanted him out of her and her kid's lives. Sean Patrick's role comes in as a former in-mate who is completely obsessed with Gina's character. He wants to be with her and her family, but Gina insists that he is the murderer of her ex and his fiancée'. Will Gina be proved innocent with the help of her supposed-to-be-not-because-they-work-together boyfriend, Michael Biehn, or will Sean slip up and confess his dark secrets? You'll just have to find out.
8/10
8/10
Good little old-fashioned B-movie suspenser
inframan15 November 2002
I like this movie a lot. It doesn't have the most original plot in the world but what it does with it is dynamite. This reminds me a lot of those old movies they call "filmes noir" nowadays, the ones with the weary cynical cop, played by someone like Mark Stevens or William Lundigan or Dana Andrews who gets mixed up with the dangerous dame who may or may not be a killer. And there's the likable but menacing loony (William Bendix, Elisha Cook), is he the guilty one? This is a real whodunit, folks, & it had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The three principals are terrific. Gershon is a pure pulp lusty female, right off the cover of an old Signet paperback. Michael Biehn has grizzled nicely since Terminator. Maybe he'll morph into today's Sterling Hayden. And Sean Patrick Flanery is fine as the charming psycho who evokes Michael J. Fox as Hannibal Lechter. It's a great-looking film, never static, with lots of dynamic camera work, great pace and good writing. A very professional and satisfying film. In a way it is what The Man Who Wasn't There should have been.
Great movie- Gershon is terrific
stargazindude12 April 2013
This movie was surprisingly good. I did not expect to like it. I ended up liking it very much. I would suggest that it is best to watch it NOT reading too much about it. Gina Gershon does a great job....and there are twists and turns here that keep you guessing. I honestly didn't know who to believe right up to the very end of the movie. It had me on the edge of my seat. Gina Gershon's acting was superb, and really surprisingly good. It's a low budget flick, so I judge it from that standpoint and from that standpoint, it was excellent! It's definitely an "escape" movie. LOL. I give it an 8 out of 10, but with a qualifier: that is, that I am judging it against other of these types of movies, not against say, "Psycho"...against other low budgets, this is definitely at the top of the pile.
Very good DVD
BoDietl00731 October 2020
Borderline (2002)
spargo36722 October 2020
It actually occurred to someone to write this?
ocangaceiro-12 August 2011
Warning: Spoilers
A miserable movie. The script is plain awful, and the acting other than Gershon's is rotten, but then again, the actors had few options with such a laughably bad script to work with. Every interaction between characters is stilted, and even when the acting isn't technically awful, it's more on par with a made-for-TV movie. Like I said, only Gershon holds her own in this thing.
This movie played like some non-cinema person's fantasy about how cool it would be to make a movie. Sure, they try for a sort of big twist at the end, but by then the gratingly juvenile quality of the movie makes it not matter very much.
This movie played like some non-cinema person's fantasy about how cool it would be to make a movie. Sure, they try for a sort of big twist at the end, but by then the gratingly juvenile quality of the movie makes it not matter very much.
Tense Psychological thriller
Film_Lover_4ever14 September 2020
Too muddled and low key to succeed
Wizard-812 July 2017
A thriller is supposed to thrill, among other things. But the strongest emotions that "Borderline" manages to build in the viewer are confusion and an odd feeling. The odd feeling mainly comes with where the movie was shot. Although it's made clear that the story is taking place in California, you don't need to watch the closing credits to know that the movie was shot in a foreign country (South Africa, to be exact.) The buildings and scenery don't look quite right, especially since it's all mostly photographed in a manner that gives everything dull and dark colors. The real problems with the movie, however, are what I stated in my summary line. At the end of the movie, there are a number of plot threads that haven't been properly resolved, so it's hard to figure out who did exactly what and why. Even director Evelyn Maude Purcell was apparently bewildered by the twists and turns, because she doesn't manage to build up any tension or suspense. At best, the movie feels strictly routine. There's nothing here to grab an audience's attention, so I say avoid it. It's not the worst movie ever made, but oddly there are a lot of worse movies out there that are more interesting to watch than this movie.
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