Review of Cutter's Way (1981) by Steve J — 01 Nov 2011
Much Like Roman Polanski director Ivan Passer left a communist controlled country to make films in the west ,this is perhaps his best film and Like Chinatown it casts a downbeat view of the American dream at the fag end of the 70s.
Bridges is on sparkling form here as Boating stud Richard Bone a hard up none too bright kind of fellow who is implicated in a muder of a young girl.
Rather than just let the murder slide his best friend Alex Cutter a One eyed Vietnam vet with a false leg ,missing arm and an Alcholic wife decides to blackmail the suspect which leads to more disasters and tragedy.
John Heard is brilliant here as Cutter all swearing and boozy bravado who rails against the world with random acts of violence and Lisa Eichorn is more than a match for him as his floozie of a wife.
Yes its neo noir and very bleak but Passer has contructed a film with a lot to say about the state of the nation at the time and how those with money and influence can get away with everything including murder.
Once seen you will never forget this vastly underated drama.
This review of Cutter's Way (1981) was written by Steve J on 01 Nov 2011.
Cutter's Way has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
