It has gradually deteriorated and now I can't open it all together. The key doesn't work as well, so now I have no way of opening the trunk. I searched around but not a lot of help. Anybody can offer advise on how to tighten the cable from inside the car, or how to open it from inside the trunk (going thru the hole in the seats).
Thanks in advance.

Check the factory manual for your 97 listed in the Factory Service Manuals thread at the top of the forum. It may have a procedure for adjusting the cable.