Meg Ryan is known for her roles in romantic comedies. In fact, she epitomizes the genre. With a reputation spanning more than 20 years, this blonde has made quirky-sweet movies her trademark.
In her newest flick, however, Ryan goes brunette and wears some colored contacts to show what a serious actress she really is. Normally, Hollywood "renovations" flop, yielding a less-than-desirable result. But Ryan illustrates that there's depth underneath her (once) blue eyes in "In The Cut."
The premise is fairly laconic yet allows room for the many twists and turns that the plot takes. Ryan is Frannie, a New York writing teacher. A murder in Frannie's neighborhood brings her and a police detective, played by Mark Ruffalo, together. One thing leads to another, and soon enough these two are getting their game on.
Character development is wonderful for Frannie. She is an adult approaching middle age -- she's so enveloped in her present and certain aspects of her past that she has no time for her future. Although her life isn't the stuff that dreams are made of, it illustrates just how weird and dizzying things can be at times. Ryan's acting is amazing, and her portrayal of Frannie proves that she steals the screen, and for this purpose, the script is great.
Camera shots tend to be on the jerky and unpredictable side. Much like this year's "Thirteen," this movie jumps around so much that you have a headache and a stomach ache by mid-flick. It tended to be annoying and uncomfortable, not the great dramatic effect that these rapidly progressing shoots are often used for.
There was something lacking in "In the Cut." Try as you might, one person cannot carry the whole movie, and there was a hollow absence that seemed unnecessary. Also, the affairs between Frannie and her lover are fairly graphic. Some scenes in "In the Cut" might have been better lent to late-night Skinemax than a large-budget movie. You'd be amazed what an R-rated movie can get away with these days.
Words play a large part in understanding what's going on here. Not just the verbal ones spoken onscreen, but the licks of poetry that Frannie immerses herself in are enough to create a sense of wonder among even the most incoherent viewers. Piece by piece, you see words and sentences and lines of poetry that make little sense but play to the larger scheme of life as a whole.
Ryan is amazing, but the rest of the motion picture fails to live up to her precedent.
There is a lot of sex here. I'm sure that that's going to draw in the male numbers, but it really doesn't make that much sense onscreen.
If you've seen everything else and are looking for a pretty dark movie, you might just want to give this one a try. Otherwise don't feel pressured to make a special trip just for "In the Cut."
Liz Percak-Dennett is a senior at Colony High School in Palmer.
LIZ'S REEL WORLD
IN THE CUT continues at the Century (929-3456). 108 minutes. R (for strong sexuality including explicit dialogue, nudity, graphic crime scenes and language).
Critics' rating: 88*
Liz's rating: 88
