"The Cutting Edge" is a classic early '90s rom-com with just enough sexual innuendo to appeal to grownups, but not explicit at all. It's set in the world of competitive figure skating. Doug Dorsey (D. B. Sweeney) is a working-class Minnesota guy whose dream of playing pro hockey is dashed when he suffers an injury in the '88 Calgary Olympics. He still has exceptional skating skills, so an emigre Russian coach recruits him to try out as a pairs skating partner to spoiled, wealthy diva Kate Moseley (Moira Kelly), who has discarded or repelled every other possibility.
Dorsey is a tough-talking jock whose initial impression of figure skating is that it's nothing but silliness in sequins. But he quickly takes to the sport when he realizes the skill and strength involved, and he can't resist the bigger challenge: clicking with haughty, difficult prima donna Kate both on and off the ice. This unlikely pair generate plenty of sparks and slowly get past their emotional armor, with lots of witty banter and athletic battles on the practice rink as they pursue Olympic gold and fall for each other along the way. The two leads have good chemistry, and the supporting cast is very effective.
Some parts of the movie look a little low budget and slightly dated (lots of big moussed-up hair and shoulder pads!), but this is a charming, funny sports/love story that also digs into deeper themes, such as the sacrifices made by young, driven (or pushed by their families?) athletes and the difficult choices they make on the road to glory. If you like figure skating, and many people do, you will love "The Cutting Edge," but if you just like a nice rom-com, it's worth a viewing too.
Dorsey is a tough-talking jock whose initial impression of figure skating is that it's nothing but silliness in sequins. But he quickly takes to the sport when he realizes the skill and strength involved, and he can't resist the bigger challenge: clicking with haughty, difficult prima donna Kate both on and off the ice. This unlikely pair generate plenty of sparks and slowly get past their emotional armor, with lots of witty banter and athletic battles on the practice rink as they pursue Olympic gold and fall for each other along the way. The two leads have good chemistry, and the supporting cast is very effective.
Some parts of the movie look a little low budget and slightly dated (lots of big moussed-up hair and shoulder pads!), but this is a charming, funny sports/love story that also digs into deeper themes, such as the sacrifices made by young, driven (or pushed by their families?) athletes and the difficult choices they make on the road to glory. If you like figure skating, and many people do, you will love "The Cutting Edge," but if you just like a nice rom-com, it's worth a viewing too.