Between the Lines 1977
Directed by
Joan Micklin Silver
Made by
Midwest Films
Between the Lines Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Between the Lines (1977). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
The Back Bay Mainline, an outspoken alternative paper in Boston, finds its future under threat as a powerful corporation edges in to take over the publication. The film revolves around a tight-knit team of journalists and their intertwined lives: Harry Lucas, John Heard, a disillusioned lead reporter; Abbie, Lindsay Crouse, a gifted photographer whose images cut to the heart of the story; Laura, Gwen Welles, a founding reporter living with Michael; Max, Jeff Goldblum, a mercurial music critic; Michael, Stephen Collins, a pretentious writer who dreams of uprooting to New York; Lynn, Jill Eikenberry, the compassionate office administrator; David, Bruno Kirby, an eager cub reporter; and Frank, Jon Korkes, the beleaguered editor-in-chief. Into this herd of reporters enters Roy Walsh, Lane Smith, the sharp, ambitious organizer behind the corporate bid, shaping the fate of the newspaper from behind the scenes.
As whispers of a communications empire gaining control swirl through the newsroom, the personal stakes rise alongside the professional ones. Laura’s relationship with Michael becomes a focal point: Michael, a self-absorbed figure who aims to relocate to New York with the earnings from his forthcoming book, tests Laura’s loyalty at every turn. A party—meant to celebrate—exposes Michael’s neglectful side, and Laura ends up spending the night at Harry’s place, only to face a tense return when Michael shows up for a confrontational exchange. In the end, Laura makes a costly choice, choosing to stand by Michael and accompany him to New York, even if it costs her own career.
Meanwhile, David is determined to prove himself with a big, risky scoop. His pursuit leads him to a shady record producer who agrees to talk, but instead sends two hired goons to rough him up. Harry, Abbie, and Max spring into action, arriving just in time to witness David take a brutal nose-whip of a beating, a moment that hardens their resolve to resist forces that would crush independent reporting.
Harry’s own arc threads through his waning confidence in his craft and his impact on the world. He drifts through the newsroom, and when he finally confesses love to Abbie after a night they share, she makes it clear she does not feel the same, deepening his sense of professional and personal disconnection.
The rumor mill crescendos as the corporation’s plan unfolds. A formal meeting reveals the scope of the buyout, and Walsh’s faction presses Frank to dismiss Harry, labeling him a “moving force in the wrong direction.” Lynn is the first to resign, a symbolic moment that signals the paper’s tipping point and the fragility of a newsroom under corporate pressure.
In a moment of fantasy, Harry envisions walking into Walsh’s office and shooting him with a suction-cup dart toy pistol—a stark, if unreal, escape from the mounting tension. In the real world, he finds a fragile, human connection by the bar with Abbie, and the two begin to reconcile, leaving Max to face the room alone. Max, ever the rogue, ends the film by conning a stranger into buying him a drink, a small, improvisational act that underscores the film’s alternation between earnest journalism and human improvisation.
The movie never fully resolves the ongoing struggle between independent journalism and corporate power. What remains is a portrait of a newsroom that must navigate loyalty, love, ambition, and integrity when the future of their paper—and perhaps the very idea of a free press in their city—hangs in the balance. The characters’ intertwining choices expose both the resilience and the fragility of people who are willing to fight for truth, even when that fight costs them dearly.
Between the Lines Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Between the Lines (1977) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Takeover rumors threaten the paper
Takeover rumors loom over The Back Bay Mainline as investors circle and a powerful corporation eyes the newspaper. The staff sense the pressure from a corporate megacorp led by Roy Walsh, threatening editorial independence. The team contemplates their future as the threats begin to reshape office dynamics.
Office party reveals tensions with Michael
During a celebratory office party, Michael repeatedly patronizes and ignores Laura, exposing the fragility of her relationship with him. The tension between ambition, romance, and professional loyalty becomes obvious to the rest of the staff. Laura's mounting frustration foreshadows difficult choices ahead.
Laura spends the night at Harry's after the party
After the party, Laura spends the night at Harry's house, seeking comfort away from the confrontation with Michael. The closeness between Laura and Harry becomes palpable, even as they resist letting romance complicate professional duties. The night ends with unresolved tension and lingering questions.
Laura chooses to move to New York with Michael
By morning, Laura decides to sacrifice her own career and accompany Michael to New York, choosing personal loyalty over the paper's future prospects. The decision illustrates the pull of romance against the backdrop of newsroom upheaval. Her choice marks a turning point for both her personal arc and the paper's internal dynamics.
David pursues a risky interview with a shady producer
David, a novice reporter, pursues a risky lead by chasing down a shady record producer for an interview. The producer agrees to talk on the condition of his own terms, but instead sends two hired goons to confront David. The encounter ends with David taking a bloody nose and the team's warning signals flaring.
Harry, Max, and Abbie intervene as David is beaten
Max, Harry, and Abbie rush to intercept the producer’s goons, arriving just in time to witness the beating. The near-miss underscores both the dangers of chasing a big story and the fragility of the newsroom's resilience. David's bruised face becomes a tangible reminder of the risks their work entails.
Harry confesses his love to Abbie; she refuses
Harry, drifting in his writing career, declares his love to Abbie during a night they spend together. Abbie, however, rejects him, prioritizing friendship and professional boundaries over personal romance. The moment deepens their complicated relationship while clarifying their boundaries.
Rumors swirl about corporate takeover
Rumors circulate about a corporation attempting to acquire The Back Bay Mainline, creating a cloud of uncertainty over every decision. The staff discusses how a sale could alter editorial direction and independence. The atmosphere is tense as the threat moves from whispers to a potential reality.
Roy Walsh-led group signals intent to purchase
A leadership group led by Roy Walsh reveals its intention to purchase and manage the paper, signaling a potential shift in control. The proposed deal triggers a more direct push to reshape the newsroom's leadership. Internal allies brace for what a corporate takeover could mean for journalism and jobs.
Walsh pressures Frank to dismiss Harry
In a tense meeting, Walsh pressures Frank to dismiss Harry, branding him a 'moving force in the wrong direction.' The threat of removal becomes a test of loyalty and nerve in the newsroom. Frank's decision becomes a critical pivot point for the staff's fight to stay independent.
Lynn resigns amid the shake-up
Lynn resigns, the first to walk away amid the mounting shake-up. Her departure signals a broader loss of stability as the newsroom braces for change. The fallout highlights how the takeover threat is reshaping personal and professional loyalties.
Harry fantasizes about confronting Walsh
In a moment of frustration, Harry fantasizes about walking to Walsh's office and shooting him with a suction cup dart toy pistol. The fantasy highlights the depth of his anger and the blurred line between longing for change and acting on it. The moment underscores the escalating tension inside the newsroom.
Harry and Abbie reconcile at a bar
In reality, Harry meets Abbie at a bar, and they reconcile their complicated relationship. Their regained connection offers a fragile sliver of hope amid the ongoing upheaval. The moment also reaffirms the personal stakes each of them carries in the newsroom's fate.
Max arrives, is left alone, and cons a stranger for a drink
When Max arrives, the others leave him there alone, signaling the ragged, unresolved nature of the night. Max then cons a stranger into buying him a drink, underscoring his own snipe of charm and the line between luck and manipulation. The closing beat casts a bittersweet light on the trio's fragile unity.
Between the Lines Characters
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Harry Lucas
Harry is the disenchanted lead reporter at The Back Bay Mainline. He feels his best days are behind him and longs for meaningful change through journalism. He harbors deep feelings for Abbie, but she rejects his romantic advances; He later loses his job as part of the paper's takeover and fantasizes a dramatic act, then ultimately reconciles with Abbie at a bar.
Abbie
Abbie is a talented photographer at the paper and a steady, grounding presence in the newsroom. She has an on-and-off relationship with Harry, navigating the tension between love and career aspirations. She remains central to the newsroom dynamics and, after a rocky start, reconciles with Harry at the bar.
Laura
Laura is a founding reporter living with Michael; she is a key voice at the paper and grapples with balancing personal life and professional commitments. She ultimately sacrifices her own career to accompany Michael to New York, highlighting the personal cost of career and relationship choices under corporate pressure.
Michael
Michael is a pretentious writer who plans to relocate to New York using proceeds from his upcoming book. He patronizes and ignores Laura at times, driving a wedge in their relationship and illustrating the self-centered ambition that accompanies literary success.
Roy Walsh
Roy Walsh leads the group aiming to purchase and control The Back Bay Mainline. He embodies corporate pressure and political maneuvering, and he is connected to calls to dismiss Harry during the power struggle for the paper.
Lynn
Lynn is the kind-hearted administrator at the paper. She is dedicated to the newsroom but resigns when the takeover intensifies, signaling the personal toll of corporate influence on staff and operations.
David
David is an eager cub reporter who bikes to work and pursues a big, potentially risky story. He faces danger when a shady record producer sends goons to assault him, illustrating the hazards faced by ambitious journalists.
Max
Max is a flaky music critic who adds color to the newsroom dynamics. He collaborates with others and ends up a bit of comic relief, even to the point of conning a stranger into buying him a drink.
Frank
Frank is the beleaguered editor-in-chief under pressure from the takeover and internal newsroom politics. He remains a focal point in the newsroom's struggle to maintain direction amid corporate threats.
Between the Lines Settings
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Time period
1970s
Set in the era of shifting media empires, the film captures the late-1970s newsroom energy and the rise of corporate consolidation. A culture of activism and personal ambition colors the lives of reporters and editors. The action revolves around a threatened independent paper negotiating with a powerful buyer.
Location
Boston, Back Bay
The story unfolds in Boston’s Back Bay, centering on the local alternative newspaper. The Back Bay Mainline newsroom anchors the drama, reflecting a gritty, community-driven press scene. The city’s mix of historic architecture and working-class journalism provides a tight, urban backdrop for a fight against corporate takeover.
Between the Lines Themes
Discover the main themes in Between the Lines (1977). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Independent Press
The film centers on The Back Bay Mainline, an independent newspaper fighting against a powerful corporate buyer. It highlights the pressure to compromise integrity in pursuit of profits. Through newsroom turmoil and staff debates, the theme explores what journalism owes the public versus what it costs to resist consolidation. The story asks whether a small, community-focused paper can survive in a media landscape increasingly dominated by conglomerates.
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Romance & Conflict
Romantic entanglements sharpen the newsroom tensions. Harry's unrequited feelings for Abbie clash with Laura's relationship with Michael. The movie shows how personal ambitions and love intersect with career decisions, pushing characters to choose between loyalty and self-advancement. The outcome reveals how relationships are strained by the pressures of a newsroom under corporate threat.
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Investigation & Truth
David chases a potentially risky story, illustrating the drive for real reporting. The pursuit leads him into danger when a shady producer dispatches goons and violence interrupts the investigation. The trio of Max, Harry, and Abbie works to intercept the threat, underscoring the collaborative nature of investigative journalism. The theme emphasizes truth-seeking as a core newsroom value.
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Moral Compass
Harry's disillusionment with writing and his sudden fantasy of taking action against corporate power reveal a crisis of purpose. The narrative questions what a journalist owes to their readers and to themselves when change seems impossible. The stakeholders’ clash, from editors to paper owners, tests personal ethics and public responsibility. In the end, reconciliation and quiet acts of defiance underline a more hopeful path forward.
Between the Lines Spoiler-Free Summary
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In the gritty yet charismatic streets of 1970s Boston, a devoted collective fights to keep the Back Bay Mainline alive. This underground paper, once a voice of the counter‑culture, now scrapes by on a weekly budget of just $75, while the city’s artistic pulse and political fervor shift around it. The looming interest of a powerful media conglomerate adds an undercurrent of urgency, turning everyday newsroom chatter into a quiet battle for survival. The film’s tone is a blend of witty banter, restless adventure, and the occasional tender pause, capturing the restless energy of a city on the brink of change.
At the heart of the newsroom are a cast of eccentrics whose lives intertwine as tightly as their stories. Harry Lucas drifts through assignments with a weariness that hints at deeper doubts about his craft. Abbie, the sharp‑eyed photographer, captures moments that cut straight to the soul of the city. Laura, a founding reporter, navigates a complicated partnership with Michael, a pretentious writer whose ambitions stretch beyond Boston’s borders. Max roams the scene as a mercurial music critic, while Lynn, the compassionate office administrator, holds the place together with quiet resolve. Fresh‑eager David chases his first big scoop, and Frank, the beleaguered editor‑in‑chief, steers the ship through stormy waters. Into this mix steps Roy Walsh, the ambitious organizer whose corporate agenda threatens to reshape everything the paper stands for.
Together they create a vivid portrait of a newsroom caught between idealism and commercial pressure. The film moves with a restless rhythm, letting humor and improvisation surface amid moments of earnest introspection. As the staff juggle love, ambition, and loyalty, the audience is invited to wonder how far they’ll go to protect a fragile slice of free press. The story‑telling style remains intimate and observational, letting the texture of Boston’s streets and the clatter of typewriters set the stage for a tale that feels both timeless and uniquely of its era.
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