Review of Cutter's Way (1981) by Mike S — 16 Aug 2008

Superficially a noirish murder mystery, the criminally neglected Cutter's Way eventually reveals itself to be much more -- a postmortem of the 70's, a loose retelling of Hamlet and Moby Dick, and the kind of character study that isn't made any more .

Crippled, alcoholic Viet Nam vet Alex Cutter (John Heard) and his best friend, the draft dodging, yacht salesman/gigolo Richard Bone (Jeff Bridges), are drifting aimlessly in a drunken haze through late-1970's life in Santa Barbara.

When Bone reveals to Cutter that he thinks he may have witnessed the murder of a cheerleader by the town's most powerful, rich and respected figure, Cutter snaps out of his decade-long stupor, thinking that he's found his "Moby Dick" -- a target to which he can direct his pent-up anger and suspicion.

Cutter begins his own amateur investigation into the crime. And despite the mounting volume of circumstantial evidence that Cutter uncovers, Bone, as always, stays on the sidelines, refusing to commit to "Cutter's Way" -- worried that Cutter's post-Watergate paranoia and bitterness towards "the establishment" have driven him crazy. But eventually, Bone will have to pick sides in the battle...

Despite being a mystery, the film really shines at showing the human residue of the 60's/70's -- with Cutter representing the bitterness, rage and suspicion of the post-Vietnam/Watergate era, while Bone represents the hedonistic "if it feels good, do it", non-committal mentality that was also commonplace during that time.

Be forewarned, this will be a "difficult" movie for some. The characters are initially incredibly unpleasant and unlikable (although redeemed in the end). Major plot points are left ambiguous and open to interpretation. And the "mystery" aspects of the film -- like in "The Big Sleep" -- become secondary to character development. However, those not needing to have their movies spoon fed will be rewarded with a beautifully shot film with fascinating characters, best-of-career performances and a climax that will leave them shell-shocked.

Despite being released in 1981, this is truly a 70's film, in the best sense of the term.