An effectively miserable crime/mystery/thriller movie that effectively updates the film noir for post-Vietnam War-era America. Jeff Bridges is technically the protagonist, but the titular Cutter steals the show, as he's the one who makes this film extra interesting. I've never thought John Heard was a bad actor by any means, but I think this is easily the best performance I've seen of his. He reminded me of gruff Tom Waits, but I don't know exactly what year Waits started using his more distinctive, wild, low/raspy voice, so maybe it's more accurate to say Tom Waits reminds me of John Heard in Cutter's Way.
I don't know overall, though - I think it's a little slow in parts, and I think it has some heavy-handed dialogue that probably spells out some of the themes a little too explicitly. But it's well-made and undeniably works as a dark neo-noir kind of movie, and probably deserves a little more love and attention overall.
I don't know overall, though - I think it's a little slow in parts, and I think it has some heavy-handed dialogue that probably spells out some of the themes a little too explicitly. But it's well-made and undeniably works as a dark neo-noir kind of movie, and probably deserves a little more love and attention overall.