If you thought becoming a boxer was a walk in the park, then it’s only fair to step into the ring and have your first real fight. Punch after punch and you might be done. This applies to many people, myself included, who don’t fully appreciate boxing or consider it a sport worthy of high admiration.
Starring Orlando Bloom, John Turturro and Caitriona Balfe, The Cut takes viewers into the unforgiving, unforgiving and unforgiving world of boxing, where failure is not only an option, but often a possibility results, because only one of the two players can overcome their fear and emerge victorious. A boxer (Orlando Bloom) who has enjoyed retirement for ten years must return to the ring for the fight of a lifetime. But before he could do that, he had to gain weight. As he begins a journey in a room in Las Vegas, enduring an illegal and drastic weight loss program, it becomes clear that the first battle he has to win is with himself.
Orlando Bloom delivers an intense, powerful and jaw-dropping performance that takes the life of a boxer to new heights. Caitriona Balfe is equally compelling as a supportive wife and coach to her boxer husband. “We either do it together or we don’t,” our protagonist tells her, but she must decide whether to pull him away from the physical torture he’s inflicted on her. As a filmmaker, Sean Ellis stands out for his vision and the way he captures the essence of a strong soul slowly weakened by bad choices.
It’s a phenomenal film and I’m absolutely delighted to have had the opportunity to watch it at TIFF. Frankly, it stayed with me long after it ended. This is not a traditional sports drama; one would have to be ruthless and cold-blooded without appreciating what is being depicted and how it evolves over time. Terrible? Yes. Inspiring? Not so much. Why? Why would anyone agree to harm their own body when their life is at stake? for what? For a title? Is it worth it? You and I may not understand this, but once we put ourselves in the shoes of a boxer, it becomes clearer.
