Jimmy Warden gives us the 2025 offering of Borderline. It is based on a “true story.” When it ends, it’s like “based on a what now?” Apparently, Madonna had this stalker, and the tale is based on that reality.
This is part dark comedy and part Wes Anderson vibe. Borderline has a cast of characters who are all out of their minds. In spite of its inherent weirdness, the film entertains, to a degree, it just feels strange. By the end of the movie you want to like it.
Sadly, I could not quite get there. Close, but as they use to say, “No cigar.”
The Borderline Story
Paul is consumed with love for Sophia, a pop star, he cannot stop stalking her until they are wed. Bell tries his best to protect Sophia and his family.
The Borderline Cast
Samara Weaving is Sophia.
Ray Nicholson is Paul Duerson.
Eric Dane is Bell.
Jimmie Fails is Rhodes.
Alba Baptista is Penny.
Patrick Cox is J H Calhoun.
Yasmeen Kelders is Abby.
Catherine Lough Haggquist is Eleanor.
*Kudos to Alba Baptista. She comes close to stealing the entire film. A new favorite for sure.*
Dark Comedy
Borderline is comedy of the darkest sort. The entire film alludes to Madonna repeatedly. The title is a Madonna song title. There are other references to the singer.
The film should work better than it does. All the characters are likable. Even the stalker has a certain “mad” charm. In fact, the only character that is hard to like is Sophia. *One wonders if Madonna has that same effect on folks who interact with her. Sophia is almost obsessively detached from her surroundings.
All of the characters are quirky, and to a certain degree, downright strange.
Paul is so loony tunes that almost anyone is Sophia in his befuddled eyes. Rhodes, Bell, anyone. This gives him an air of vulnerability that makes him somewhat less abhorrent.
It’s All About the Music
The one thing that makes Borderline work, regardless of the oddness of it all, is the music. The score, by Mondo Boys is spontaneous and it moves the film along with elan.
And the Acting
Everyone here brings their “A” game. Weaving is, of course, excellent in these types of roles. Dane does what he does best and Nicholson is darn near perfect as the nutty stalker. Jimmy Fails kills as Rhodes and we recommend keeping an eye on young Kelders.
Somewhat amazingly, the entire “recreation” of the Madonna stalker incident works. It is just weird.
The Verdict
Borderline is a solid 3.5 stars. It entertain and it is, in many places, quite funny. Warden and his wife, Samara make a pretty good team. I had some issues with the movie. However, the musical score was such a perfect fit that I ended up almost liking it. The film is streaming on Peacock right now. Check it out, if only for the soundtrack.
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