150 Word Review: ‘Cutter’s Way’ (1981)

A Reagan-era noir about a pair of lost bros

A friend recommended Cutter’s Way and I’m returning the favor: watch this forgotten thriller directed by Czech filmmaker Ivan Passer on The Criterion Channel before it’s gone.

The title refers to Alex Cutter, a wounded Vietnam vet played by John Heard, in a scene-stealing performance. Mostly known as a character actor, Heard is a combustible, racist alcoholic, vile and loveable depending on his needs. He reminded me of Richard Dreyfuss, only scummier. His partner in crime is Jeff Bridges, a beautiful lout, and Lisa Eichhorn is a revelation as Cutter’s wife, unhappy, angry, loyal, and in love with her husband’s best friend.

These two bums live in the wealthy playgrounds of Santa Barbara and are happy to drink and slum until Cutter suspects the town’s most powerful man of murder. Cutter’s Way doesn’t try too hard to impress, but when it does, it’s sudden and shocking, grime drenched in sunlight.