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The Second Line (2007) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   20 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Director:
John Magary
Writer:
John Magary (writer)
Genre:
Short | Drama
Plot:
After MacArthur's savings are stolen from his FEMA trailer, he and his cousin Natt take work gutting a house. | add synopsis
Awards:
5 wins more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Icons Of Fright Halloween Interviews!
 (From Icons of Fright. 31 October 2008, 7:42 AM, PDT)
Projects you'll see in Park City: 7 Receive Annenberg Film Fellows Grants
 (From ioncinema. 29 July 2008)
User Comments:
Exceptionally well-done and compelling more (1 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)
Al Thompson ... MacArthur
J.D. Williams ... Natt

Dane Rhodes ... Henry
Karen Pritchett ... Bernie
Saidah Arrika Ekulona ... MacArthur's Mom
Brittany M. Parker ... Jamiqua
Evangelina Thompson ... Natt's Mom
Brian Hightower ... Brante
Ronnie Collins ... Hooded Man
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Cymia Telleria ... Girl
Danny Washington ... Natt's Friend
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
19 min | USA:20 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Filming Locations:
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA more
Company:
Original Villager Films more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
Exceptionally well-done and compelling, 14 July 2008
9/10
Author: planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida

This short film is set amid the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (the one that hit New Orleans so badly a couple years back). MacArthur is having a horrible day. Someone has broken into his government-provided trailer and stolen his money. Then, he finds day work helping a middle-class White guy tear down his ruined home. While the guy who hired him sits back and watches TV, MacArthur and his pal do some very, very dirty and possibly dangerous work (with all the mold and contamination). MacArthur finds some hidden money, and since he's an honest guy, gives it to the home owner. Showing that the expression "no good deed goes unpunished", the guy not only doesn't give him a reward (perhaps a few extra dollars) but then proceeds to cheat him on his pay for the day's work! You've gotta feel sorry for this guy--it's a REAL bad day. Yet somehow, he remains positive. Later, however, when the White guy is acting rather patronizing towards them, MacArthur snaps and the film turns very dark.

While you can't excuse what he did, you certainly had some understanding for what makes a good person do evil. This gray area is what I really liked about the film--it didn't paint everything in clear terms but helped to give all new insight into race relations and violence. It made me think--and very few films ever try to do that! Exceptional and insightful--good story, acting and direction.

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