The Front Line (2006)

An African immigrant bank security guard turns the tables on Dublin's nastiest criminals when they force him to be the "inside man" on a bank robbery

Director:

David Gleeson

Writer:

David Gleeson

Stars:

Eriq Ebouaney, Gerard McSorley, James Frain

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eriq Ebouaney	...	Joe Yumba
Gerard McSorley	...	Detective Insp. Harbison
James Frain	...	Eddie Gilroy
Fatou N'Diaye	...	Kala
Hakeem Kae-Kazim	...	Erasmus
Brian Eli Ssebunya	...	Daniel
Ian McElhinney	...	Mikey
Orla O'Rourke	...	Detective Susan Clohessey
Gavin O'Connor	...	Detective Duffy
Garrett Lombard	...	Anton
Maclean Burke	...	Plank
Feidlim Cannon	...	Robbo
Walter McMonagle	...	Mr. Sullivan
David Herlihy	...	Mr. Burke
Laura Jane Laughlin	...	Valerie

Storyline

An African immigrant bank security guard turns the tables on Dublin's nastiest criminals when they force him to be the "inside man" on a bank robbery

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Plot Keywords:

bigotry | kidnapped boy | heist and the accomplice | heist gone wrong | n word | 

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Taglines:

Death comes to all who embrace it. But it would not come to him.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Ireland Germany UK Sweden

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Harcvonal

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wide Eye Films, Philipp Homberg Filmproduktion, Sandrew Metronome Distribution Sverige AB

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Quite simply the most unexpected best film I've seen this year!

I've watched some films this year really expecting, and hoping, they would be good. Some met my expectations, some exceeded them and some fell short. I had not heard of this film; but it was the most unexpected joy since Everything Is Illuminated (2005).

It succeeds on so many levels. As a thriller is gripped me from the first beat to the last. The characters were well-rounded, believable and performances, especially by Ebouaney, McSorley and N'Diaye were superb. Where had these actors come from? I to search IMDb to convince myself they were acting! I don't know much about Congolese politics, but the back story was completely believable and horrifying in equal measure. "Documentary" shots and montages worked well to reinforce this. And it made me want to learn more and reconsider my thoughts on the "problem" of "their" immigration. Whoever "they" may be.

In response to world events, some films in recent years have rightly focused on international politics, the communication between people within and between different nations. And Crash did very well, hence Babel, both of which I enjoyed.

But this film achieves more than what both of the above did and on a fraction of the budget! I'd never heard of David Gleeson, but his writing and direction was superb. I will definitely be renting the whole of his back catalogue - and buying this DVD. Please put lots of extras on it David! In summary, I was blown away by the performances of the actors, the detail and complexity of the script and the way in which the subject matter was handled. To come across such a film from left-field was a joy and a rare pleasure. I hope it reflects positively on the CV's of all involved and we see much more of them, as they deserve it.

Great job David and all involved.