Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, language in tender, well-acted fly-fishing drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mending the Line
What's the Story?
In MENDING THE LINE, U.S. Marine John Colter (Sinqua Walls) and his men are on the last day of their tour in Afghanistan when they're sent out on a final patrol. They're ambushed and slaughtered. An injured and scarred Colter winds up in a VA hospital in Montana, enraged and impatient to return to active duty. Meanwhile, ex-Marine Ike Fletcher (Brian Cox), who spends his days fly-fishing, has been suffering blackouts. Their doctor (Patricia Heaton) comes up with a solution: John can accompany Ike and be there to help if any blackouts occur, and Ike can teach John fly-fishing, which could help his PTSD. But sparks fly when the grumpy Ike and John meet for the first time. And things get more complicated when John meets grieving librarian Lucy (Perry Mattfeld).
Is It Any Good?
It may be formulaic and slow, but this mentor-student drama is rarely dull, thanks to fine performances and languid pacing that lets us find the meditative rhythms of fly-fishing itself. "More great literature has been written about fly-fishing than any other sport," Ike says at one point, and, watching Mending the Line, you're likely to believe him. The movie's fishing scenes are full of myth and metaphor, philosophy and psychology, as well as a general sense of centeredness and well-being. There's also gratitude: When Ike first catches a fish, he cradles it tenderly, lets it go, and whispers, "thank you."
The mentor-student stuff is pretty routine, including Ike's hard-as-nails approach (he makes John clean the stockroom before even letting him handle a fishing rod). There are also the expected weepy hospital scenes, a somewhat turgid music score, and a largely unsuccessful romantic subplot, but the actors, including the great Wes Studi as Ike's best friend (and the only one who can put up with Ike's orneriness), are fully game. They embrace the tragedy and beauty of their characters, and they manage to sell moments that might have otherwise fallen flat in lesser hands. Ultimately, Mending the Line teaches us a little about fly-fishing, but a lot more about being human.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Mending the Line depicts drinking. Is John abusing alcohol with his self-medicating? Is drinking glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
How is the mentor-student relationship depicted here? How is it similar to or different from your own relationships?
Did you notice positive diverse representations in the movie? What about any stereotypes?
How are trauma and loss depicted? What are some of the positive ways characters tackle these things? What are some of the negative ways? What's the difference?
In the movie, how does fly-fishing teach gratitude? How can this be applied to everyday life?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 9, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : September 26, 2023
- Cast : Sinqua Walls , Brian Cox , Perry Mattfeld
- Director : Joshua Caldwell
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Blue Fox Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Gratitude
- Run time : 122 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and some violent images
- Last updated : September 20, 2023
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