‘The Cut’ Review: Orlando Bloom Gives an All-Time Great Performance in an Uneven Boxer Drama

As I sat there, engrossed in the gripping narrative of “The Cut”, I couldn’t help but marvel at Orlando Bloom‘s transformative performance. It’s not often that we see an actor embody a character so profoundly that they seem to have lived it, and Bloom did just that. His portrayal of the tormented Irish brawler was a testament to his dedication, versatility, and sheer talent.

In recent times, it seems that boxing movies have been overused, making it challenging for filmmakers to present the sport in a fresh and innovative way. However, Sean Ellis’ “The Cut” manages to bypass this issue by centering on the character’s physical and mental struggles outside the ring, particularly the arduous fight to attain the required weight. The movie attempts multiple things at once, including a non-linear narrative structure that doesn’t always tie together seamlessly, but its power lies primarily in Orlando Bloom’s intense, transformative portrayal of an unnamed Irish boxer.

In “The Cut,” the main character, known as “the Boxer” in the press materials, is involved in a professional boxing match just once. At the beginning of the movie, this experienced fighter appears poised for another win. However, something strange and invisible, visible only to him, disrupts his focus from somewhere off-screen, causing him to lose control and sustain a severe, potentially career-ending cut above his eye.

In the following years, the boxer operates a rundown gym in Ireland alongside his wife Caitríona Balfe, and at some point is shown pushing himself to vomit. Despite the passage of time, it appears that his past continues to shadow him. This theme is excellently portrayed by Bloom throughout every scene, and becomes even more evident when his character gets another opportunity to fight in a major Vegas competition — under one peculiar condition. He would be taking over for a former fighter who succumbed to dehydration during training, necessitating that the boxer shed an astonishing 30 pounds within a week (a feat most people might struggle with even over several months).

In this portrayal, the transformative acting that has been hailed “Oscar-worthy” frequently involves physical alterations, and this production is no exception, with many of these changes being visible on screen. While modifications such as Bloom’s cauliflower ear and scars in his short hair and above his eyebrow provide a narrative about the brutality he’s endured, what truly sets Bloom apart from other performances is his portrayal of The Boxer’s character. The Boxer is always agitated and vigilant, with eyes that constantly move restlessly and appear to be scanning for chances. He carries an inner rage, and his tight facial muscles suggest a difficult upbringing. When he moves or speaks, it seems as if he’s struggling under a heavy burden, and he even growls to force out words at times. This could easily seem exaggerated, like a caricature of Connor McGregor, were it not for Bloom’s remarkable ability to bring realistic life to these movements, making it seem as though he didn’t just invent a different past to reach this role, but actually lived through it.

Initially, when Caitlin assumes the position of lead coach and the couple selects their team, “The Cut” adopts a nearly self-aware perspective on boxing films, symbolizing the struggle between family ties and ambition by merging them. To borrow terms from the “Rocky” series, Adrian and Mickey are essentially merged, leading to a deeper, more intense internal struggle for Caitlin (compared to a typical sports movie spouse who passively cheers). However, the challenges multiply when the Boxer, unable to lose weight despite pushing his body to its limits, brings in Boz (John Turturro), a character who is both arrogant and almost sinister, who achieves success because, as he puts it, he doesn’t care about anyone or anything except winning.

The movie “The Cut” intensifies the standard workout sequences into harrowing, distressing scenes, accompanied by minimal, bland food rations (just enough to sustain life). This transforms what would normally be a training montage into a haunting cinematic experience, complete with an unsettling hint of a male eating disorder. Simultaneously, the film frequently cuts back to the Boxer’s turbulent childhood in war-stricken Ireland using black-and-white flashbacks. These segments are intended to provide insight into the Boxer’s psychological turmoil, but Tom Hardy (as Ellis) portrays this character so profoundly and eerily that these scenes feel unnecessary – a feeling that intensifies whenever they interrupt the training sequences, diminishing their dramatic impact.

The origin tale of the boxer carries a dark side that explains his ongoing worries effectively, yet it takes an excessive amount of time to convey. In hindsight, “The Cut” might have benefited from maintaining its intense focus on the grueling physical torment instead. Although the psychological aspects of tragedy can be subtly expressed symbolically, the movie unfortunately relies too heavily on explicit details, which align with its overly literal hip-hop soundtrack that describes the unfolding events. Interestingly, Ellis, who also serves as cinematographer, uses imaginative horror elements to underscore the boxer’s narrative of determination and physical suffering. “The Cut” is a unique boxing film in that it fails to offer any captivating in-ring moments or competitive triumphs – the grim tone alone is sufficient, and there’s no need for frequent scene changes.

As a film enthusiast, I believe that the closed-off demeanor of The Boxer in this movie offers a potent portrayal of the destructive nature of sports, and Riz Ahmed’s gut-wrenching performances are more than enough to convey this message. Although a tighter, more impactful version of “The Cut” might exist somewhere, the raw, intense scenes shown on screen are already incredibly haunting, giving Ahmed the opportunity to solidify his status as a remarkable performer. It’s not just about the extremes he’s willing to endure, but the captivating performance he delivers in the end that truly sets him apart.

2024-09-08 10:16

‘The Cut’ Review: Orlando Bloom Gives an All-Time Great Performance in an Uneven Boxer Drama

Read More

Minority Mindset