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Cruising | Year: 1980 Directed: - William Friedkin Actors/Actresses: - Al Pacino - Paul Sorvino What was Al Thinking ? I saw a profile of Al Pacino on the Biography channel recently and those who were close to him said that in the late 1970's Pacino was anxious to make a movie that was uncommercial and controversial. This he succeded in doing with "Cruising." Unfortunately, it is not only uncommercial and controversial - it is bad. Somehow I can't get past the idea of Michael Corleone playing a leather daddy - and Pacino's near-afro hairstyle in this movie is but one more of the implausible twists. The gay community was outraged at their portrayal in this film - as well they should be. Gay men are seen as sick, demented, sex-crazed maniacs and Director William Freidkin gives us way too much information, including the hidden meanings of various colored bandana's (I've never wore one at the gym since) and a scene that depicts "fisting" (ouch!) Al Pacino's performance, given like he is under hypnosis, does'nt help the uninspiring script and I had trouble figuring out "who done it." After watching this violent, homophobic mess, I felt dirty and disgusted. A Great-Thinking Person's Thriller Cruising showcases one of Al Pacino's greatest performances as a rookie police officer who is sent undercover to investigate a series of gay murders. I have watched this William Friedkin-directed film several times and always walk away with a different interpretation as to the events that I had just witnessed: Is the Pacino character straight or gay? Does the Pacino character actually engage in any gay sex acts while undercover - or does he fake it (we never actually see him do anything). Does the Pacino character become a killer at the end of the film - or did someone else kill Pacino's next door neighbor, Ted? And was that Pacino going to a gay club at the end of the film, or was that a flashback? The Pacino character undergoes a complex, emotional catharsis - but it is always unclear to me if it was for the better - or for the worse. This is Friedkin's third best film. His best were The Exorcist, To Live and Die In L.A. - with The French Connection coming in fourth. Sadly, Friedkin - once a great artist - has forgotten how to make films anymore (ever see Jade?). But at least we have those four great ones to remind future directors of how to craft a film. Leaves you guessing from begining to end Very unique and interesting film . In a way I believe the producers wanted the controversial gay subject matter to carry this film , and pay little attention to story line and plot . Many of the situations are kind of disjointed and dont realy resolve intself , but ends up adding to the films suspencefull quality . Buy Cruising at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Cruising Search with the Priority Search Engine on Cruising This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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