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Jane Campion is back with another visually sumptuous yet deeply disturbing look at gender issues. Frannie (Ryan) is an introverted Manhattan school teacher obsessed with quirks of the English language. Her life is completely intertwined with her half sister (Leigh) and yet outsiders keep breaching the peace. First there's Detective Malloy (Ruffalo) investigating a particularly gruesome local murder. There's the guy (Bacon) who just won't take no for an answer and is becoming a desperate stalker. And there's a bright young student (Pugh) who seems to be squandering his talents. Frannie is interested in all three men, but hasn't a clue how to go about it. Malloy isn't quite so reticent, and he doesn't take long getting Frannie into bed. But then he's distracted by the increasing body count.
As usual, Campion shoots the film gorgeously, cleverly isolating each frame to show us just what she wants us to see, blurring the edges both of the images and the story, and editing with a clear sense of subtext and meaning. So it seems doubly strange that the story struggles to get into gear. As an examination of how Frannie's fragile world is completely turned upside down, this is powerful filmmaking indeed, and yet Campion can't resist the demands of the serial killer plotline, which takes over unsatisfactorily toward the end. She also can't resist being profoundly politically incorrect, testing our notions of feminism, machismo, sex, racism and violence at every turn. This is challenging and bracing ... and somewhat wearying! But the film emerges triumphant due to sensitive performances from Ryan and Ruffalo. We're used to this kind of revelatory work from Ruffalo, but Ryan rarely makes films with this much raw pain, emotional nakedness and cathartic physicality, and she's more than up to the challenge. Meanwhile, Leigh is terrific as her slightly airy sister, and Damici adds intriguing texture as Malloy's offbeat partner. This is another one of those films that will sharply divide viewers; let's just hope Campion keeps on making them!
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dir Jane Campion scr Jane Campion, Susanna Moore with Meg Ryan, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kevin Bacon, Nick Damici, Sharrieff Pugh, Nancy La Scala, Frank Harts, Zach Wegner release US 24.Oct.03; UK 31.Oct.03 Screen Gems 03/US 2h00  Investigations: Ryan and Ruffalo. 
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P Mack, Baltimore:  "Meg Ryan certainly does need a good picture to put her back on top. However In The Cut just isn't going to cut it. While parts of the film are clever
much of it is predictable. Even if you don't see films as much as I do, it's not long before you know exactly where the movie's going. I was in the mood for a good thriller; this movie just didn't give me what I was looking for. It's like it was meant for TV. Maybe it could have done well as a Lifetime movie, or an episide of Law & Order or NYPD Blue with its nudity scenes. I really found these scenes a bit out of character for Ryan. Other than that the supporting cast turned in a fine performance. I'd save the big bucks at the box office and wait for the video. It will be at your local video store before you know it." (Nov.03)
IndigoJen, Los Angeles: "I found this to be disturbingly tragic. The movie was well shot, and the performances were good, particularly that of Meg Ryan, but I didn't find myself caring about the characters. Of course, I had a similar reaction to the characters in the other two Campion films I've seen as well. Sort of like an auto accident - you can't help but watch, no matter how unpleasant." (Nov.03)
Jennifer Bittner-Philips, Tigard, Oregon:
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"I waited for the DVD to come out before indulging myself with the latest Campion film. I was enthralled with The Piano and found myself looking forward to In The Cut. While I can appreciate the eye she has and her vision for this film, I was less than thrilled with the performance by Meg Ryan. While it pains me to say so (as I also appreciate Ryan) I found her portrayal of Frannie to be lackluster and insincere. It felt as though Ryan was forcing a character that was simply beyond her range. To me, it seems that Leigh would have been better suited for the role. It has been said that Americans just don't appreciate the film because it deflowers our nation's sweetheart. I would have to disagree. While I can appreciate the courage it must have taken to play this role, her acting seemed forced, less than fluid and it is my belief that she bit off more than she could chew. It is unfortunate, because other parts of the film and performances of Ruffalo and Bacon show the genius that is Campion, but will never be truly appreciated due to the chance that was taken in casting Ryan." (Jun.04)
Worst film ever made. Boring, crap, unoriginal cliche screenplay. Porn and profanity for shock. Unlikable characters. Crap acting. Garbage handheld cinematography. Kevin Bacon threatening to kill his dog. I could go on. Unrealistic trash. All involved in the film should be embarrassed. (Mar.18)