A.V. Opinions: Is Cutthroat Island an underrated gem or a rightfully buried stinker?
This year, I’ve been revisiting movies I haven’t seen in over 20 years or finally watching films that have always been on my radar. Last night, I decided to pop in Cutthroat Island on VHS, a movie I had never seen before. Over the years, I’ve heard everything from “it’s an underrated gem” to “yeah, this movie kind of sucks.” I couldn’t wait to decide which side of the line I would fall on.
Right off the bat, Cutthroat Island impresses with its commitment to practical effects. The film delivers massive set pieces, explosive ship battles, and beautifully crafted pirate visuals that give it a true swashbuckling feel. There’s something refreshing about seeing real stunt work and large-scale action without an overreliance on CGI. I also have to give credit to Geena Davis for doing all her own stunts. That level of dedication is always worth acknowledging.
But while the action and spectacle work, the casting is what ultimately sinks this ship. I just don’t buy Geena Davis as a pirate captain. She’s great in films like Thelma & Louise and A League of Their Own, but she lacks the charisma needed to command a role like this. She was married to director Renny Harlin at the time, which makes me wonder if that played a role in her landing the lead. Either way, a stronger, more natural fit could have elevated the movie significantly.
Matthew Modine plays the roguish thief and love interest, clearly aiming for a Han Solo-style charm. He’s not terrible, but he doesn’t feel like the best choice for the role. I can’t imagine a studio today pouring $100 million into a blockbuster with Davis and Modine as the leads. The one real standout here is Frank Langella as the villain, Dawg Brown. He delivers a fun, scenery-chewing performance that gives the movie some much-needed energy. If anything, the film needed more of him.
At the end of the day, Cutthroat Island is an ambitious but flawed pirate adventure. It’s a technical achievement in many ways, but the casting choices hold it back from being the great film it could have been. While some may consider it an underrated gem, I think its reputation as a mediocre pirate movie is fairly earned. Would it have been better with different casting? I absolutely think so. I don’t know exactly who I would have put in these roles, but with stronger leads, Cutthroat Island might not have gone down as one of Hollywood’s biggest financial failures.
-Brad McBoom