Cutter's Way (1981) is a neo-noir drama film directed by Ivan Passer and starring Jeff Bridges, John Heard, and Lisa Eichhorn. The story is adapted from the novel Cutter and Bone by Newton Thornburg.
The film follows the story of Richard Bone (Jeff Bridges), a small-time hustler living in Santa Barbara, who witnesses a man dumping a body into a trash can. Richard tries to convince his friend Alex Cutter (John Heard), a disabled Vietnam War veteran, that they should report the crime to the police, but Cutter, who is embittered and distrustful of authority, wants to take matters into his own hands.
Together, Richard and Cutter start their own investigation to try and identify the killer. As they dig deeper, they realize that the crime is connected to a wealthy businessman who has ties to the military-industrial complex. But as they get closer to the truth, they become targets themselves, and their mission to expose the killer becomes more dangerous and violent.
The film is known for its gritty, atmospheric cinematography and the intense performances of the lead actors. It is also notable for its portrayal of the trauma and disillusionment of Vietnam War veterans and its critique of the corruption and hypocrisy of the American power structure. Despite positive reviews, the film was a commercial failure, although it has since become a cult classic and is considered a seminal work of American neo-noir cinema.