23
Has anyone seen the much maligned Jane Campion (Power of the Dog) film, In the Cut? Released 20 years ago, critics ripped it apart and some believe it crashed Meg Ryan’s career. I recently caught a screening of it as part of a “weird films” program, and I adored it.
It’s this seedy, urban, fever dream about a woman (Ryan) who pursues a relationship with a young detective (Mark Ruffalo) investigating a string of murders involving young women. But all is not bliss, Ryan’s character does not trust Ruffalo’s— she is suspicious he could be the murderer.
I feel it’s an interesting exploration of heterosexual dynamics, and the danger men pose to women. Campion’s gaze is really interesting, and, while there is some graphic sex (I know some women here don’t like that, so heads up), I appreciated the focus on female pleasure. And fear. But not in a way that leaves one feeling disempowered, I think it’s a smart and scathing feminist critique. Some critics revisited the film for its 20th anniversary, and changed their original disparaging tunes.
Overall, I recommend giving it a watch. I’d love to discuss it here. It’s available for streaming on Paramount+.