Review of In the Cut (2003) by Christopher L — 24 Apr 2004

I really liked this movie (on DVD) and was surprised by the general critical response to the movie. As we've come to expect from Campion movies, the cinematography is imaginative and beautiful. Many of the scenes of Frannie walking alone in the city and riding the subway are filmed in brown tones. This monochromatic filter is echoed in Frannie's wardrobe. My favorite scene would have to be the petal storm at the beginning of the movie.

Frannie is an unusual character in the movies - she is not innately likable and doesn't try to endear herself to either the viewer or other characters. She is an original and that alone is a strength of the movie. Meg Ryan and Mark Ruffalo had chemistry and ably rendered the sexual attraction between Malloy and Frannie. Meg Ryan has been rightfully credited with delivering a great performance. It should break her from the romantic comedy likable heroine rut her career has trapped her in.

Though I haven't read the Susanna Moore novel it was based on, I suspect the movie suffered from being an adaptation. The weakest aspects of the movie were the plot and character development. For instance, Frannie breaks up with her deranged boyfriend, and we never learn what drew her to him initially.