Between the Lines was deftly directed by Joan Micklin Silver on a miniature budget. The drama is set in the offices of an "alternative" newspaper, vaguely reminiscent of The Village Voice (where Silver once worked). The large ensemble cast of then-unknowns is headed by John Heard, playing a photojournalist who takes time off from trying to save the world to have a brief affair with Lindsay Crouse. Other employees and hangers-on include Jeff Goldblum, Jill Eikenberry, Bruno Kirby, Lane Smith and Marilu Henner.