CUTTING CLASS

Cinemavixion Review

In the realm of 1980s slasher films, "Cutting Class" (1989) emerges as a peculiar, albeit flawed, entry that notably features an early performance from a pre-stardom Brad Pitt. Directed by Rospo Pallenberg, the film centers on Brian Woods (Donovan Leitch Jr.), a young man recently released from a mental institution, who returns to his high school following his father's death. As students begin to fall victim to a mysterious killer, the narrative weaves a tale of suspicion, with both Brian and a rival classmate, Dwight, emerging as potential suspects. The film's plot, while adhering to slasher genre conventions, attempts a degree of dark humor, though its execution often lands awkwardly. Leitch Jr. delivers a performance that teeters between menacing and pitiable, while Jill Schoelen provides a capable, if somewhat underutilized, female lead. Brad Pitt, in one of his earliest roles, shows glimpses of the charisma that would later define his career, playing a charismatic but potentially dangerous classmate. Despite its critical reception, indicated by a low score on Rotten Tomatoes, "Cutting Class" offers a nostalgic glimpse into a specific era of horror filmmaking. Its appeal may lie more with genre enthusiasts and those interested in tracing the early careers of its cast, rather than as a standout example of horror cinema.