Prime Cut (1972)

In "Prime Cut," Lee Marvin embodies Jack, a hardened Chicago mob enforcer dispatched to Kansas City on a brutal debt-collection mission. His target isn't your average rancher; Earl (Gene Hackman) is a depraved capitalist who views human lives as mere commodities, literally grinding his enemies into sausage and trafficking women. This darkly twisted premise sets the stage for a visceral and unflinching confrontation, where Jack must navigate a landscape of extreme violence and moral bankruptcy, a territory familiar to Ritchie's directorial style. Michael Ritchie's signature blend of cynical social commentary and raw, often unsettling realism makes "Prime Cut" a compelling entry in his filmography. Ritchie wasn't afraid to explore the underbelly of American society, and here he plunges into the depths of corruption and exploitation with a chillingly detached gaze. The film's unflinching portrayal of its villain, coupled with Marvin's iconic, stoic performance against Hackman's volatile menace, creates a potent cinematic experience that resonates with Ritchie's penchant for exploring moral decay and the corrupting influence of power within stark, unforgiving settings.