Rating: 
Summary: Pointless, disappointing potboiler
Review: Based on the popular book, director Jane Campion (The Piano) helmed this disappointing adaptation of In the Cut. Meg Ryan, in a role against her type, plays a sexually withdrawn English teacher named Frannie who finds herself caught in the middle of a brutal murder investigation, and she also finds herself in bed with Detective Malloy (Mark Ruffalo) who is investigating the crimes. Between the explicit love scenes (and in the unrated director's cut there are aplenty) and the gruesome crime scenes, one is left to wonder what else this film can breakthrough with; but such things as character development and actual suspense aren't to be found. Fans of the book will notice how closely the film follows it's source material's events up until the final quarter of the film, and all together In the Cut is worthwhile entertainment, up until it is rendered utterly pointless. Nicole Kidman co-produced the film, and the cast also features Jennifer Jason Leigh, a small role from Comedy Central's Tough Crowd alumni Patrice O'Neil, and an uncredited Kevin Bacon in a role which doesn't serve him well at all.
Rating: 
Summary: Que Sera Sera
Review: I didn't like this movie the first time I saw it. Then I watched the film again with the commentary of director Jane Campion and producer Laurie Parker. My advice is give this film another chance, because having viewed the commentary, it really does give one an insight into the film. The brilliance of director Jane Campion in taking the cast, including Meg Ryan, Mark Ruffalo and Jenifer Jason Leigh out of their respective comfort zones is really well done. Much has been said about the felatio scene, but this scene is pivotal to the whole film, in the sense that it gives the viewer the important clue that forshadows the puzzle to come. So please get the uncut version on DVD if you can. From the opening scene, we see Jennifer Jason Leigh standing in her own little garden appearing lost and confused, together with the ambient music of China Forbes (of Pink Martini) singing Que Sera Sera. This is what sets the tone for the movie. This film really is about a series of mistaken identities of perception. The movie ponders the question of - have we really seen something or did we think that we saw something? The detective story is secondary to the relationships that metomorphose during the film. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Pass on this one
Review: This film reeks of 'trying too hard.' From too many random, disconnected shots (woman in wedding dress in subway, flags, pouring sugar on the table in the diner etc) to heavy-handed plot development (ramming red herrings down our throats) this film just doesn't work...on any level. Characters that are more like caricatures, unbelieveable in their words and deeds...
Rating: 
Summary: Nerve Touched
Review: I expected little from this film after the scathing reviews it received. But, I thought, there was the promise of Meg Ryan in the altogether, and frank explicit sexuality. Why not rent it? There are worse ways to spend a rainy day! To my surprise, I found the movie very engrossing and well-made. The sex scene in the bar was quite erotic -- it's rare Hollywood shows you even snippets of full-blown fellatio (pardon the pun). The scene was as outrageous and stimulating as the notorius oral sex sequence in the old Italian film, "Devil in the Flesh." While Meg was a mere observer to this graphic act, the fact that the "boundary line" was crossed -- that between mainstream cinema and porn -- intrigues me. What might be next if Hollywood takes this direction? Are movies nearing a threshold like that in the 1960s after which every R-rated film exposes female breasts as a matter of course? Let's hope so. Anyway, the intimate scenes with Meg and Mark Ruffalo, while not as blatantly explicit, were pretty darn good, and invite scrutiny. There seemed few fake moves; no body doubles, no arty cuts to reduce the impact of the bodies naked. Applause! The sex aside, "In The Cut" featured very good performances from all the actors (Ryan, Ruffalo, Kevin Bacon, brushing up against his acting limitations, yet still interesting, and Jennifer Jason-Leigh, who could use a diet and looked stoned in the DVD extras), and was directed with a poetic style, albeit with obvious symbolism. The cinematography was appropriately dark, and the seaminess of NYC was integrated nicely into the story. But about the story: entirely predictable, sort of a pulpy film noir from 60 years ago when such things, filmed in black and white, were new. Some sex talk was forced -- there's a laughable phone-sex call between Ruffalo and Ryan which must have had the crew in stitches when filmed -- an obvious attempt to shock, to be "adult." Yet again, I realize this racy albeit salacious material is not the stuff of ordinary Hollywood cinema -- maybe that's the point, to introduce a new realism, even if the attempt is awkward. Back to the plot. I am no rocket scientist but I figured out early who the killer was (watch the fellatio scene closely -- you'll see). Nevertheless, I wasn't completely certain (especially as the Ruffalo detective has a notable psycho tinge to him, as if he's hiding an unglued personality), and that mystery kept me gripped to the end. I ask you this: why has the film, rather slight in its drama, and almost cliched, been subject to so much vitriole? Why do people care? By comparison, "9 1/2 Weeks" or "Basic Instinct," with objectionable content at the time, got off (pardon the pun, again) much easier with critics. I think it's because "In The Cut" has touched a raw nerve, having to do with a high profile female star and an Academy Award winning female director tackling typically male subject matter. It doesn't seem tasteful, when 19th century Merchant-Ivory-like films beckon to be made, or funny romances between modern, wise-cracking neurotics. And too I think people like their porn as porn, and their Meg Ryan as the sparky bright-eyed doe she was in "When Harry Met Sally." Expectations are foiled. Maybe the director should be given kudos for rattling cages?
Rating: 
Summary: If a man had directed this there would have been protests
Review: Jane Campion -- I loved you and you betrayed me! Seriously, I can take my share of grizzly violent scenes in the context of a good film, but this sultry-slasher-wannabe fell totally flat for me. The series of gruesome sex crimes felt degrading and exploitative without even creating that much suspense. Meg Ryan wasn't bad in the film and I don't blame her; I just couldn't relate to the fact that her sexually frustrated character kept making stupid choices. Note to Jane Campion -- you can do better -- go on a retreat and meditate on what you can contribute to the world of film!
Rating:
Summary: Meg finally naked, but not worth it
Review: For any male with a heart beat, the prospect of finally seeing Meg Ryan naked makes you want to at least check out this movie. The fact that it is billed as a psychological thriller motivates one even more. Now, coming from a guy that owns over 500 titles, let me say that the above mentioned motivators fell depressingly short of my minimal expectations. The movie had the potential for intrigue, but didn't pursue it. Jennifer Jason Leigh didn't really need to be in the movie at all. There was a student that Meg meets with periodically to do research for a book on urban slang(?) who made absolutley no contribution to the plot. Mark Ruffalo strikes me as a grungy low-life. Don't see anything that resembles handsomeness in him. Speaking of which, his tattoo, let's talk about his tattoo. In the beginning, it is shown in the movie as an identifying mark that Meg keys on periodically. However, its relevance is never explained other than, "It's an exclusive club that I belong to", or some silly Bu#& S-@*%! Kevin Bacon has no reason to be in this movie. His character as a neurotic obsessive ex-boyfriend of Meg's, never goes anywhere. To date Kevin Bacon has been in 52 movies, and this part seemed like an excuse to give him his #52nd title, ya know? Very odd. There's an appropriate phase to sum up this movie - "Very Odd". It is my sincerest hope that the book was much more enjoyable than the movie (although I didn't read it - and won't if the movie is any indicator). Maybe the book just doesn't translate to film - sort of like Stephen King. Don't know, still shaking my head over this one. PS. Meg, you confirmed that gravity is cruel and does in fact work. Your body ain't all that, so do us a favor and cover it in the next one, huh?
Rating: 
Summary: Great flick with true eroticism, sexual, and true to life
Review: I never watch a movie twice but I watched this one twice and I purchased it. This movie is about TRUE LIFE and how we all try to fit in this crazy world. Meg plays a GREAT role of a English instructor who becomes involved with a detective. This is a VERY emotional movie and alot of people can't handle emotion so that is why they do not understand this movie. THIS was true life at its finest. Mark Ruffalo shines in this movie as he does all his movies. Every human emotion is portrayed in this movie, love, lust, sadness,feeling lonely and pain (deep emotional pain when the sister is murdered). This movie shows us in life you can't trust many people but your heart will always show you the way. Follow your heart, dreams and emotions.
Rating:
Summary: When Billy Met Meggie... Again
Review: Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal bumped into each other at a Hollywood restuarant the other day. Luckily I happened to be there to record the conversation: Billy: So Meg, I saw In The Cut. You finally decided to show your stuff, huh? After all the times I begged you to in the old days, and you wouldn't. Meg: Ya, but this time it was all in the name of art. Billy: Who's this Art guy? Anyway, maybe this would have been interesting if you had done it 20 years ago! Meg: Sure, but back then I didn't have a botched plastic surgery job that virtually ended my career, now did I? The doctor was supposed to make me look like Claudia Shiffer. Billy: Right - and instead you got Claude Rains! Meg: Sure, rub it in, Mr. Saturday Night. At least you didn't say what I usually hear - that I'm now a member of the Joker club! Billy: Don't get me started! Wow, no wonder your director had to use all that dark lighting! But speaking of showbiz, wanna go to a Laker game with me? Meg: Well, okay, maybe. Billy: Ya, Jack Nicholson's usually there, and if he does another Batman, he could use you as a stand in! Meg: Oh, Billy! You're such a brat! Be careful, now - or I'll embarass you by faking a loud orgasm right here at this table. Billy: Hey, that ALSO would only be interesting if you did it 20 years ago! Oy!
Rating:
Summary: Most underrated movie of the year...
Review: Just because you didn't understand what the movie was trying to say or you thought it was "boring" or "too slow", let me tell you what to do. Get a Blockbuster card, and rent Michael Bay & Ron Howard movies okay? How's that sound? Now us film buffs will enjoy the good movies and not listen to complaints from people who's only concept of an movies is what's playing in the multiplex. "In the Cut" is a dark, moody, thematically tense thriller that is as much a detective tale as it is an exploration of female sexuality and urban alienation. Campion is a master filmmaker, who is at the peak of her powers here. While I don't think this movie is as good as "The Piano" or "Portrait of a Lady", it is certainly a return to form for a great director.
Rating:
Summary: When Harry met Sodomy
Review: A bit too cerebral at times to completely grab the "Basic Instinct" fans, yet at other times graphic enough to make English Lit majors blush and leave the room, "In The Cut" may take a few years to find its audience. In the late 70's, audiences were "shocked" when cutesy "la-dee-dah" actress Diane Keaton shed her clothes and portrayed a single woman living in New York who was a school teacher by day, sexual thrill seeker by night in "Looking For Mr. Goodbar". Star Meg Ryan attempts a similar image makeover, portraying a poetry-loving, er- school teacher living in, er- New York, who, uh...develops an uninhibited sexual relationship with a homicide detective (new talent to watch Mark Ruffalo) investigating a grisly series of murders (OK-it's not EXACTLY like "Goodbar"). Jennifer Jason-Leigh gives good support as Ryan's troubled sister, and an unbilled Kevin Bacon out-creeps just about every other actor who has ever played a stalker ex-boyfriend. This film is not really as much of a stylistic departure for its arthouse-darling director Jane Campion as some reviewers would lead you to believe. While her films do tend to come from a "literate" background, I always felt efforts like "Sweetie" and "The Piano" contained some very dark and visceral undercurrents. Certainly not for every taste (especially the "Director's uncut" version!) "In The Cut" breaks no new ground as a crime thriller, but contains enough depth to intrigue some viewers.
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