The Cut (2024) - Film Review

      The Cut, 2024.

      Directed by Sean Ellis.

      Featuring Orlando Bloom, Catriona Balfe, John Turturro, Clair Dunne, Gary Beadle.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A retired boxer has the opportunity for a title fight, but he must first meet the required weight limit. The film heightens the tension of preparing for this crucial bout, delving into childhood trauma intertwined with a grueling weight loss regimen. Orlando Bloom portrays a boxer who was once at the pinnacle of his career a decade ago and was on the verge of claiming the title belt. However, an unseen distress disrupted his momentum, leaving him unable to recover. In the gym he established with his partner and manager Caitlin (Catriona Balfe), he conceals his suffering while dismissing the taunts of local young boxers who label him a ‘has-been.’ He appears to be satisfied until a new chance arises to contend for the title. The sports agent (Gary Beadle) points out that everyone loves a comeback story, and soon enough, the boxer and Caitlin find themselves heading to Vegas for training.

      However, there’s a major hurdle—he is significantly overweight. He has just six days to shed 26 pounds, an almost superhuman task that also poses serious risks. Nevertheless, during challenging times, drastic measures are necessary, and John Turturro’s Boz serves as the tough coach the boxer requires when it becomes clear that Caitlin cares for him too much to push him hard enough. The film unfolds as a powerful journey, not only portraying the demanding process fighters endure to lose weight but also an emotional exploration of traumatic memories.

      Flashback scenes depict the boxer as a young boy in Northern Ireland with his mother (Claire Dunne), revealing the deep-seated pain that fuels his present-day battles. As the training progresses, the disturbing past comes to light, leading to an increasingly dark and emotional introspection.

      Turturro’s portrayal of Boz is exceptional, pushing the boxer to his limits and never allowing him to take the easy route. While he occasionally delivers deadpan humor, the overall experience is one of intense and painful rigor. Bloom and Turturro excel in their confrontations, with Bloom fully embracing the raw emotion required to convey his internal struggle, showcasing the blood, sweat, and struggles involved in achieving “the cut.” Ultimately, as director Ellis puts it, it is a ‘boxing movie without the actual boxing.’ Similar to the film Heavyweight, which debuted at Raindance and dealt with pre-fight anxiety and the logistics of staging a fight, The Cut approaches its subject matter with a focus on the internal battles accumulated over a lifetime.

      The Cut offers a genuinely poignant experience. It is likely not suitable for the faint-hearted, as it takes a serious look at the physical and emotional preparations necessary for a match.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert W Monk