Cutter's Way is not a perfect film, it meanders at a leisurely pace. The murder mystery is at times a backdrop as we look at a dysfunctional trio living in Santa Barbara in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Parts of the own is still seedy, still a dump. We are yet to enter the excess and glamour of Reaganomics.
Jeff Bridges plays gigolo and boat salesman Richard Bone whose car breaks down and he spots another car in the distance and what appears to be a figure dumping something into a large garbage bin. The car later wildly drives past him.
The next day a woman's body is discovered and because Bone's car is nearby he is dragged in as a suspect.
Alex Cutter is a one eyed, one legged, one armed Vietnam veteran left bitter and twisted after the war. An old buddy of Bone who is one of the few people willing to put up with Cutter's bile and drunken rages. When Bone points out an old wealthy man on a horse during a parade as a potential suspect Cutter is determined to go after his prey and teams up with the dead woman's sister to smoke the culprit out.
Lisa Eichhorn is Cutter's abused, alcoholic wife washed out by him even though she loves him. She is the soul of the film as Cutter and Bone go out to catch their whale. She is not afraid to make barbed comments.
The film explores the underbelly of America, yet the era is no different than today. Local oil magnate JJ Cord played by Stephen Elliott (famous for the banana sparring routine in Beverly Hills Cop) knows his wealth, influence and penchant for violence will protect him.
This was an early performance by the late John Heard and simply one of his best film performances. It is a showy role with allusions to Moby Dick with Cutter as Ahab. Heard should have had a better film career rather than just be known as a careless dad leaving his son, Home Alone twice.
Cutter's Way flopped at the box office when it was released. Despite the comments made by director Ivan Passer it is not really a surprise. It is a very anti commercial film that can leave some of its audience frustrated. Over the years it has gained a cult following.
Jeff Bridges plays gigolo and boat salesman Richard Bone whose car breaks down and he spots another car in the distance and what appears to be a figure dumping something into a large garbage bin. The car later wildly drives past him.
The next day a woman's body is discovered and because Bone's car is nearby he is dragged in as a suspect.
Alex Cutter is a one eyed, one legged, one armed Vietnam veteran left bitter and twisted after the war. An old buddy of Bone who is one of the few people willing to put up with Cutter's bile and drunken rages. When Bone points out an old wealthy man on a horse during a parade as a potential suspect Cutter is determined to go after his prey and teams up with the dead woman's sister to smoke the culprit out.
Lisa Eichhorn is Cutter's abused, alcoholic wife washed out by him even though she loves him. She is the soul of the film as Cutter and Bone go out to catch their whale. She is not afraid to make barbed comments.
The film explores the underbelly of America, yet the era is no different than today. Local oil magnate JJ Cord played by Stephen Elliott (famous for the banana sparring routine in Beverly Hills Cop) knows his wealth, influence and penchant for violence will protect him.
This was an early performance by the late John Heard and simply one of his best film performances. It is a showy role with allusions to Moby Dick with Cutter as Ahab. Heard should have had a better film career rather than just be known as a careless dad leaving his son, Home Alone twice.
Cutter's Way flopped at the box office when it was released. Despite the comments made by director Ivan Passer it is not really a surprise. It is a very anti commercial film that can leave some of its audience frustrated. Over the years it has gained a cult following.