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As far as Hollywood is concerned, small towns are fascinating places, loaded with eccentric characters who tend to get themselves involved in all kinds of outrageous shenanigans. That hasn’t necessarily been my personal experience, but it’s certainly the case in director Matt Shakman’s small-town thriller, Cut Bank.
Cut Bank stars Liam Hemsworth as Dwayne, a mild-mannered mechanic in the tiny town of Cut Bank, Montana. For years, Dwayne has dreamed of leaving town with his girlfriend, Cassandra (Teresa Palmer)—but he’s been forced to stay behind to care for his ailing father.
One evening, Dwayne just happens to witness—and record—the murder of the town’s postman, Georgie Wits (Bruce Dern). Since there’s a large reward for information regarding the murder of a postal worker, it seems as though Dwayne’s luck is finally changing. But the case isn’t as simple as it initially seems—and it soon sets off a series of increasingly deadly events.
With its small-town setting and its charmingly folksy style, Cut Bank looks and feels a bit like a Coen Brothers caper. It’s dark and twisted and suspenseful, with plenty of quirky characters and comic touches.
The film’s biggest draw is its remarkable cast. The town’s residents include everyone from Billy Bob Thornton to John Malkovich—and, fortunately, they’re able to shift the attention away from the bland lead actor. Hemsworth may not have much to work with, but he doesn’t give his character a whole lot of personality, either. In fact, he seems to embody all of the stereotypes regarding small-town mechanics—which doesn’t exactly make Dwayne a memorable lead. But Hemsworth still fares just slightly better than Palmer, who falls flat as the whiny and over-the-top would-be pageant princess.
The story, meanwhile, has its share of flaws. It’s light on development—especially when it comes to many of the key characters. Even when some of those characters offer a peek into their back stories, they don’t seem to make a whole lot of sense. And while the sheriff claims that nothing really happens in Cut Bank—that he’s never even handled a murder—everything sure falls apart quickly. It seems like Cut Bank was a town full of cheats and swindlers and killers just waiting for the right moment to let loose.
Despite its shortcomings, though, Cut Bank is still an entertaining thriller. Most of the characters range from lovable to outrageously eccentric, while the story just gets wilder and crazier (and more disturbing, too) with each new scene. And the characters’ increasingly madcap adventures—along with the outstanding supporting cast—make the film worth a look.
It may not be the next Fargo, but Cut Bank is still a darkly amusing thriller. After seeing it, though, you may find yourself going out of your way to avoid small towns—and their eccentric residents.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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