Eroticism from a woman's sensibility!

Jane Champion's In the Cut is a mess as a mystery but rather intriguing as a drama about the complicated world of adult relationships. Based on the sensational novel by Susanna Moore, In the Cut juxtaposes the gritty reality of modern courtship with the fairy tail idea of romantic love.

Meg Ryan, in a surprising performance, plays Frannie Avery, a writing teacher who becomes involved with a homicide detective while he's investigated a series of gruesome murders. Det. Malloy (Mark Ruffalo) is a smart street-wise cop who is immediately attracted the ethereal young woman who reads poetry posted in the New York subway. He's use to dealing with the seamy side of life on a daily basis and his slick vulgar take on people and life floods over Frannie when she begins to spend time with him. However, Malloy's no-nonsense seduction is startling, not only to Frannie, but also to the audience because it's always very effective. After telling her that he can be and do what ever she wants, Malloy proceeds to prove it in the bedroom. The eroticism between Ryan and Ruffalo, both of whom have never appeared so raw and sensual as they do here, is wonderfully surprising. There hasn't been a rash of adult dramas about sexual relationships and the scenes with Ryan and Ruffalo really, really good. Of course, this is Jane Champion's forte because in her best-known film, The Piano, she matched another rough-hued man with an upper class woman whose sexual appetite was equal to her suitor's. Ryan's fantasy about romantic love, as depicted by her fantasy about her parents brief courtship, and her daily struggle to find simply a good relationship certainly reflects contemporary life. Champion subtly encourages us to continue to hope for love and be courageous when it presents itself. When Malloy takes Frannie to a seclude spot just to kiss for the first time, it's as intimate as their lovemaking. This is something that Champion can express very well.

However, In the Cut, is also a murder mystery and that genre proves to be too much for Champion or something that she's simply not that interested in. When Frannie begins to suspect that her new lover might be the killer, it's handled very clumsily. All of the characters in this drama are sexual frustrated and challenged. While the inter-personal relationships are intriguing, their parts involving the mystery is muddled. Frannie is close to a half-sister played by Jennifer Jason Leigh but the minute you see the two together, you know that Ms. Leigh is a goner. Also, Frannie's former lover (Kevin Bacon) and a black student (Sharrieff Pugh) are so weird that they seem like obvious red herrings as characters. One can easily guess who the killer might be.

Regardless, the reason to see In The Cut, is for the honest portrayal of the relationship between Ryan and Ruffalo. America's sweetheart (When Sally Met Harry and You've Got Mail!) has made a good decision to play Frannie because audiences need to know that she can play women who are not necessarily funny. The last time Meg Ryan had a serious role in Proof of Life, she jinxed the film but making the director cut crucial romantic scenes because of what was going on off screen and it destroyed the impact of the film. At least here, Ryan accepts the challenge of a woman who is enticed by an exciting, adventurous romance that has a touch of danger. It reflects real life. Also, Ruffalo, who has portrayed a number of sensitive, troubled guys in such films as You Can Count on Me and View From the Top, shows that he has the ability to deliver a more physically masculine character. He's believable on the street as a cop and also as a horny suitor who pursues Frannie until he gets her. Together, Meg Ryan and Mark Ruffalo have given award-winning performances!

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