There is a plague that befalls film students, one of the mind. It sinks in deep and festers within, and unfortunately is enforced by the film school machine. This film, The Cutman, stands as a testament to that plague, the false notion that "great" student films cost a lot of money ($100,000), are lumbering and long ( thirty minutes), that style can overcome substance, and that any desire to bring something new to the table must be tossed into the abyss. The film is capably done, as most student films these days are. They can't say we're not learning how to work the machinery. Applause for the robots please. An interesting notion, the point of view of the cutman, is wasted on unearthing the same old dirt that every other student film is digging. The short film form is not being advanced at all by films like this, more like trapped in a sinkhole that says films are "calling cards for the industry so just follow the formula please." I have no doubt the director will find work in the industry. I just hope that upon finding his way "in" he decides to shake things up a little bit, so The Cutman will end up serving a valiant purpose.
3 Reviews
impressive
amgillespie27 November 2004
Saw the film last year at Sundance and NYU -
The Cutman's got a great look, evocative score and camera work, and the simple story packs more of an emotional punch in 27 minutes than any epic 9-hour trilogy box set I've seen. Respectfully pays homage to the old-time generation of new york fighters, many of whom make an appearance in the film.
Motskin's definitely going places...can't wait to see what he's doing next.
The Cutman's got a great look, evocative score and camera work, and the simple story packs more of an emotional punch in 27 minutes than any epic 9-hour trilogy box set I've seen. Respectfully pays homage to the old-time generation of new york fighters, many of whom make an appearance in the film.
Motskin's definitely going places...can't wait to see what he's doing next.
An impressive and effective little indie drama gem
Woodyanders16 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I recently caught this nice little 27 minute indie college student thesis movie drama at a short film festival held in my hometown of Metuchen, New Jersey. It tells in a very stark and absorbing manner the simple story of an aging cutman (exceptionally well played by Jack McCormack) who gets fired from his job of tending to boxers who get severely roughed up in the ring. The cutman tries to reassert himself back into his estranged successful doctor son's life and attempts to get his old job back. Writer/director Yon Motskin uses a very strikingly polished and assured visual style in relating this poignant anecdote, offering a touching, arresting and admirably unsentimental portrait of a proud, stubborn and weary old man who's life and profession are coming to a close. Motskin's greatly assisted by the lovely and stunning cinematography by Andrij Parekh, the haunting music score, a tightly plotted narrative, gritty New York City locations, and uniformly fine naturalistic acting from a solid cast (McCormack in particular is terrific, displaying a whole lifetime of pain, regret and anguish in a marvelously subtle and understated performance). An impressive debut effort.
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