I can’t speak to the desperation of poverty or homelessness. I grew up in Maryland, land locked of sorts. I've watched in horror countless times growing up when I saw others experience the pains of tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis and tropical storms. We only ever saw rain or high wind as the after effects. Nothing more. For 8 terrifying days in August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina uprooted the lives of too many families to count. The hurricane was a category five.
Katrina was the cause of 1, 200 deaths and had a property damage bill of $125 billion. New Orleans, Louisiana experienced the worst of the storm’s fury. When it comes to the relationship between storms, like Katrina, and the media - we only hear about a small portion of what really goes on. I have a friend who lives in New York. He experienced the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Sandy was powerful in her own right and went down as the deadliest, strongest and single-handedly most destructive hurricane of the 2012 season. He brought the aftermath into a whole new light for me. What happens to those who experienced damage after the lights of the news cameras go off?
Things don’t go back to normal. Sometimes it takes years, possibly even a decade, before normalcy is even considered. Wu-Tang Clan rapper turned director, RZA, channels that aftermath for his movie, Cut Throat City. The film follows four friends (Shameik Moore, Demetrius Shipp Jr., Denzel Whittaker & Keean Johnson) who get pulled into a heist following Katrina. Wu-Tang reportedly came together over their love of kung-fu movies. A random fact but I promise, I'm going somewhere with it. I swear.
While such movies have their play within cinema, such elements don’t belong in a heist movie. Perhaps one of the biggest flaws of Cut Throat is its sloppy approach to the genre and storytelling. There is no grace between transitions. One example, in particular, comes when Moore and father, played by Wesley Snipes, are “training” and playing chess. These scenes are paired with an overarching subplot, featuring a Detective (Eisa Gonzalez). While the narrative revolves around a heist, the scenes that actually make up the movie come from multiple genres. RZA is attempting to host a social commentary on the mistreatment of people of color. When Cut Throat comes to such commentary, it commands the screen. RZA knows how to speak on such truths with such ease and intensity.
There are times when the movie loses its’ way. Heists create fallouts, I understand. This movie handles such truths with ease. Though, it veers a bit too far at times; creating subplots and a secondary cast that overstay their welcome. Cut Throat is home to a rather large cast. Some of which are one-dimensional. However, performances like Moore, Tip “T.I.” Harris and Ethan Hawke are among the best performances. Though, arguably, its’ Harris’ antagonist who steals the show as he walks between calm and insanity with ease.
Overall, Cut Throat City is a bit of a muffled mess. While director, RZA, speaks powerfully on the mistreatment of people of color - it’s not enough to save the film as whole. Cut Throat feels like two different visions mismatched together, only to return home to its original narrative. Performances from Shameik Moore & Tip “T.I.” Harris are the film’s bread, butter and ultimate redemption. The best elements of the film seem to be underulitized by the overarching world. Creating an overcroweded and sloppy narrative that bleeds genres with questionable character choices and bizarre narrative decisions. Cut Throat City is a heist movie that misses its mark but salvages some true redemption.
RORSCHACH RATING:
If you or someone you know is reading this right now and you are struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message or tweet to us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!
Victims and Villains is written Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey (and produced by), Caless Davis, Dan Rockwood, & Brandon Miller. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Cut Throat City is property of Well Go USA Entertainment. We do not own nor claim any rights. Cut Throat City is now playing in select theaters nationwide.
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