Cruising Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Al Pacino gets a perm, hangs out in leather bars, and may or may not become a serial killer himself, all while solving… or maybe not solving… a series of murders.

🍿 Cruising: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Undercover Assignment

Officer Steve Burns is tasked with going undercover in New York’s S&M gay subculture to catch a serial killer. His captain emphasizes the need for secrecy, isolating Burns from his colleagues and girlfriend, Nancy. This isolation amplifies the psychological impact of the assignment as Burns immerses himself in an unfamiliar world.

Descent into Darkness

As Burns spends more time in the underground scene, he begins to lose himself. The lines between his real identity and his undercover persona blur, affecting his relationship with Nancy. The film uses visual and auditory cues, such as recurring images of S&M clubs, to convey Burns’s increasing psychological distress.

The Prime Suspect and Arrest

Burns identifies Stuart Richards as a potential suspect based on his resemblance to the victims and his presence in the same social circles. After obtaining circumstantial evidence, Burns confronts and arrests Richards. However, the case remains ambiguous, leaving the audience uncertain if Richards is indeed the killer.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Steve Burns (Al Pacino): A young police officer who goes undercover in the S&M gay subculture to catch a serial killer, facing a crisis of identity.
• Capt. Edelson (Paul Sorvino): The police captain who assigns Steve Burns to the undercover operation, driven by professional ambition and under pressure to solve the case.
• Nancy (Karen Allen): Steve’s girlfriend whose relationship with him deteriorates as he becomes more involved in his undercover assignment.
• Stuart Richards (Richard Cox): A disturbed music student and potential suspect in the murders, haunted by his relationship with his deceased father.
• Ted Bailey (Don Scardino): Steve’s gay neighbor and confidant, offering insight into the culture he’s investigating, but also becoming a victim.
• Patrolman DiSimone (Joe Spinell): A corrupt and potentially dangerous patrolman with connections to the S&M subculture, adding a layer of moral ambiguity to the police force.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Killer: “You made me do that.” – Said by the killer after committing each murder, suggesting a sense of external compulsion or justification.
• Steve Burns: “Hips or lips?” – Burns asks a patron the infamous question while undercover, attempting to blend in and solicit the killer.
• Capt. Edelson: “It’s a world unto itself.” – Captain Edelson explaining the S&M gay subculture to Steve Burns, setting the stage for the undercover assignment.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $11,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $19,798,718
• Worldwide Gross: $19,815,314

💥 Cruising Reviews

Personal Review

I watched Cruising prepared to hate it, given its reputation. While I certainly found parts disturbing, the atmosphere Friedkin created was undeniably captivating. Pacino’s performance is so understated that it’s easy to miss how much the role changes him. The ending left me deeply unsettled, unsure of what really happened, but I couldn’t shake how thought-provoking it was. The ending is ambiguous, and that is what makes it so scary.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in exploring controversial and challenging films”
  • “Those interested in the works of Al Pacino and William Friedkin”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Sexual content (S&M themes)”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Potentially offensive content”

Professional Reviews

• Film Stories: “Cruising is a dark and difficult film to watch. Friedkin presents viewers with abhorrent and ambiguous characters, challenging audience preconceptions and certainties. The incompleteness of the film, due to censorship, adds to the ambiguity and troubling nature of the film.
• AllMovie: “Cruising, viewed today, still elicits intense responses from both Gay and straight viewers alike. Mainstream Gays lament that it shows a homophobic image of Gay life, depecting them as sex-obsessed. Straights are put off by the frank look at the Gay sex ‘cruising’ culture.
• Time Out: “Pacino is convincing as an undercover officer assigned to track down a serial killer of homosexuals. However, the storyline is confused by a lack of narrative force and a failure to exploit the underlying menace, even if the homosexual subculture of New York is brutally and persuasively depicted.

Audience Reactions

Fans love the dark, gritty atmosphere and unique portrayal of 1980s New York City.: Most viewers agree that the film is a challenging and thought-provoking exploration of identity and sexuality.

Overall Consensus: Controversial and disturbing, Cruising remains a divisive film, praised for its atmosphere and performance, but criticized for its ambiguity and potentially harmful stereotypes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film faced significant controversy and protests during production from gay rights activists who felt it negatively portrayed the gay community.”
• “Director William Friedkin researched the S&M gay subculture by visiting clubs, sometimes dressed in only a jockstrap, to understand the environment.”
• “Approximately 40 minutes of footage, mainly scenes in gay bars with explicit content, were cut to avoid an X rating.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cruising?

Cruising is available for purchase on digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. While it may occasionally air on cable channels, it is not typically available on subscription-based streaming services due to its controversial content. Check listings for rental options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cruising, you might like these similar films:

• Maniac (1980): Shares the gritty, disturbing atmosphere and serial killer theme set in the dark underbelly of New York City.
• The French Connection (1971): Also directed by William Friedkin, it showcases his signature gritty realism and focus on police work in a corrupt urban environment.
• Silence of the Lambs (1991): Explores similar themes of psychological darkness and a detective delving into a disturbing subculture to catch a serial killer.
• American Psycho (2000): Explores themes of repressed urges, dark desires, duality and the hidden nature of evil through violence.

🛒 Cruising Related Products

• Cruising (Blu-ray): Arrow Video’s Blu-ray edition features a new 4K restoration and includes commentary and documentaries on the making of the film. A must-have for collectors and fans of Friedkin’s work.
• The Complete Patrolman Joe Spinell Collection: This bundle features classics like Maniac (1980), Cruising, and Taxi Driver. You get to relive Joe’s memorable performances in all their cinematic glory. This collection is the ultimate tribute.
• Cruising (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Vinyl: Own a piece of film history with the original soundtrack on vinyl. Features punk and new wave tracks that perfectly capture the atmosphere of the film.
• Al Pacino: An Actor’s Story: Dive deep into the career of Al Pacino with this comprehensive biography. Explore his motivations, his creative process, and the stories behind his most iconic roles, including ‘Cruising.’

🎧 Soundtrack

Cruising features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Three-Day Moon” – performed by Barre Phillips
• “Sea Cruise” – performed by Frankie Ford
• “I’m Eighteen” – performed by Alice Cooper

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Cruising – This Aged Great!

Ever wonder how ‘Cruising’ holds up today? This podcast episode dives deep and asks that question! Honestly, it’s fascinating to hear a modern perspective on such a controversial film.

William Friedkin on “Cruising”, Franco’s “Interior. Leather. Bar.” & Mineshaft footage

Want to hear straight from the director’s mouth about the making of ‘Cruising’? William Friedkin shares some really interesting stories and insights – you might be surprised by what he has to say.

Quentin Tarantino on Cruising

Curious about what Quentin Tarantino thinks of ‘Cruising’? His reaction is actually pretty insightful and, well, it’s Tarantino, so you know it’ll be entertaining!

‘Cruising’ Movie Demonstrations in SF 1980

Did you know ‘Cruising’ sparked major protests when it came out? Check out this vintage news footage – it really gives you a sense of the controversy surrounding the film back in 1980. You won’t believe it.

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