Originally titled Cutter and Bone, the script by Jeffrey Alan Fiskin found its way to Paul Gurian, a neophyte producer with a couple of short films and a TV movie on his resume. Based on a novel by Newton Thornburg, and released in 1981, the retitled Cutter’s Way was a box office failure, despite widespread critical praise. Since then, the film has developed a cult following, and is considered by some, one of the best films of the 1980’s.
Czech director Ivan Passer’s (Born to Win) first American film, at first appears to be just another paranoid crime thriller but turns out to be more elaborate than that. Grim, yet enthralling, Cutter’s Way takes place in Santa Barbara, California, where hunky Richard Bone (Jeff Bridges) lives an aimless life as a gigolo and pals around with crippled and one-eyed Vietnam vet Alex Cutter (John Heard). A loudmouth boozer, Alex lives with his depressed alcoholic wife, Mo (Lisa Eichhorn).
Driving home one stormy night, Bone’s car stalls in a dark alley, Bone sees a man wearing sunglasses dump something in a garbage can and race off, nearly knocking him over in the process. Bone isn’t sure what he saw, but Cutter, driven by his fury over his injuries, and determined to make somebody pay, decides the killer must be local oil magnate JJ Cord (Stephen Elliott).
Centered around three profoundly dysfunctional characters, Cutter’s Way features excellent work by the principal players. Then a virtual unknown, John Heard has the showy part as Cutter. Loud and bombastic, and chewing the scenery at every turn. Jeff Bridges has the quieter, yet no less emotional role as Bone. The real standout is Lisa Eichhorn as Cutter’s abused and defeated wife, Mo. Delivering her dialogue in a whispery, tired tone, her pitiful outcome is obvious from the start. Rated “One of the most underrated performances of the 1980’s” by the AFI, it’s a shame she didn’t receive an Oscar nomination.
Cutter’s Way cult status is a welcome development, because it’s a film that deserves to be seen. Screenwriter Jeffrey Alan Fiskin’s vision of a post-Vietnam malaise is expressed with literate and poignant dialogue that highlights the abilities of the three core actors.
Radiance has delivered an excellent 4K edition of Cutter’s Way. Framed in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the transfer is taken from the original 35mm camera negative. Details are impressive throughout, Overall, there’s a nice level of grain, and no evidence of scratches or other anomalies. The image also has a nice sense of depth. The color palate leans heavily into earth tones that come through nicely. Blacks are inky and full. This is undoubtedly the best Cutter’s Way has ever looked on home media.
The DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track works well for this dialogue heavy film. Jack Nitzsche’s appropriately haunting score is well mixed throughout. Atmospherics are full and well balanced. Dialogue is clean, clear, and concise.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
4K UHD Disc:
- Audio Commentary with Matthew Specktor
- Audio Commentary with Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
- Audio Commentary with Larry Franco and Barrie Osborne
- Isolated Score Track
- Jeff Bridges Introduction (5:42)
Blu-ray Disc:
- Audio Commentary with Matthew Specktor
- Audio Commentary with Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
- Audio Commentary with Larry Franco and Barrie Osborne
- Isolated Score Track
- Jeff Bridges Introduction (5:42)
- Piety, Patriotism and Violence: The Legacy of Cutter’s Way (41:43)
- Jeff Bridges Introduction (5:42)
- Ivan Passer (37:43)
- Lisa Eichorn (38:53)
- Paul Gurian (26:21)
- Ira Deutchman (11:17)
- Cut to the Bone: Inside the Score (11:55)
- Bertrand Tavernier (26:27)
- Trailer (1:53)
- Gallery (25 in all)
The limited edition is nicely packed in a hard slip box enclosing a keepcase with reversible artwork and a nicely bound booklet with writing by Nick Pinkerton, Christina Newland and Travis Woods, along with an archival interview with Ivan Passer. An Obi strip is included.