4 Star

Post-Vietnam Neo-noir.

Based on the novel “Bone and Cutter” by Newton Thornburg (Beautiful Kate), adapted for the screen by Jeffrey Alan Fiskin (Angel Unchained), and amazing direction by Ivan Passer (Born to Win), in this nearly never made film. This is the aftermath of the 1960’s, and the effects it had on its youth, that have to go forward into the unknown future. Even though this wasn’t a hit when it was released, the three main stars give award-winning performances, and should definitely deserve a watch, for those performances. But bear in mind this film was meant to provoke at a time after the Vietnam War, at injustices at the time and how the world was starting to change, so if you are of a sensitive nature this film is probably not for you. But you will be missing out on a hidden cracker.

Yacht salesman Richard Bone (Jeff Bridges, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, King Kong (1976)) has spent the evening with one of his lady friends (Nina van Pallandt, The Long Goodbye, American Gigolo) at the El Encanto hotel, but it is midnight, and it is time for both of them to head home.

Unfortunately for Bone, his purse is not the same size as his sexual appetite, so he has to drive a clapped out Austin Healey to get him home in the pouring rain. It soon runs into problems and Bone has to pull over in a dark alleyway. Whilst pondering what to do in this horrible weather, he sees a large car pull up not far behind his car. The driver gets out and throws something into a garbage can, then as Bone gets out to see what is going on, he is nearly run over as the car speeds off. He is about to investigate when the rain gets even heavier, so he turns and heads for Alex (John Heard, Home Alone, Awakenings) and Mo Cutter’s (Lisa Eichhorn, About Time, The Vanishing) house, the place he calls home, but first he heads for where Cutter is.

Cutter spends his time drinking, playing cards and generally being an ass, with his canny observations, which don’t always go down well with those around him. His friend George is also playing cards, George owns the marinas that Bone works at. Cutter is in for an all-nighter, so Bone takes Cutters car. At home, Mo is drunk, as she is also an alcoholic. A sour one at that.

It must be tough playing second fiddle to a one eyed cripple.

Cutter served his country in the Vietnam War, and it took its toll on his body, losing a leg, arm and eye on the left side of his body, the toll also caused Cutter’s mind to change to a very cynical outlook.

The next morning, Bone is in for a shock as the police turn up on the doorstep looking for him, because his car was parked at the crime scene of a murdered teenage woman. After many hours of interrogation, he is back home for more interrogation from Cutter. The questioning continues even at the Santa Barbara parade, Bone swears he can’t identify the body dumper, until, that is, he spots a man on a horse in the parade.

That’s Him!

Now it becomes Cutter’s personal strive for justice along with the murdered girl’s sister Valerie Duran (Ann Dusenberry, Jaws 2, Goodbye, Franklin High), to put the culprit behind bars. But this is not going to be easy, as their suspect is oil baron J.J. Cord (Stephen Elliott, Death Wish, Beverly Hills Cop). Sit back and watch while lives start to unravel, as plans are put in place to catch the killer.

A great watch, not to be overlooked.

Cutter’s Way is Available on Blu-ray Limited Edition

 

 

Special Features:
New 2K restoration from its 35 mm interpositive
“Mo’s Way,” a newly filmed video interview with star Lisa Eichhorn
“From Cutter and Bone to Cutter’s Way,” a newly filmed video interview with UA Classics exec Ira Deutchman
Archival video interview with director Ivan Passer
Archival video interview with writer Jeffrey Alan Fiskin
Archival video interview with producer Paul Gurian
Archival video featurette on composer Jack Nitzsche
Archival audio introduction by star Jeff Bridges
Archival video introduction by director Bertrand Tavernier
Theatrical trailers
Isolated music track
Newly recorded audio commentary by novelist Matthew Specktor
Archival audio commentary by film historians Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
Archival audio commentary by assistant director Larry Franco and unit production manager Barrie Osborne
Booklet with new essay by DJ and writer Margaret Barton-Fumo and an archival essay by Cult Movies author Danny Peary