Short Cuts

Right now you can watch Short Cuts on streaming — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Andie MacDowell is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

There is a reason Short Cuts keeps coming up in conversation. Short Cuts gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. Many loosely connected characters cross paths in this film, based on the stories of Raymond Carver. Waitress Doreen Piggot accidentally runs into a boy with her car. Soon after walking away, the child lapses into a coma. Andie MacDowell and Bruce Davison lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1993. Short Cuts earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Short Cuts is a strong candidate. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Andie MacDowell sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.