{"id":3313,"date":"2007-06-07T16:10:34","date_gmt":"2007-06-07T23:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3313"},"modified":"2022-08-31T13:19:48","modified_gmt":"2022-08-31T20:19:48","slug":"cruising-1980","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3313","title":{"rendered":"Cruising (1980)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;There&#8217;s a lot you don&#8217;t know about me.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Poster-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-30768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Poster-210x300.jpg 210w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Poster-89x128.jpg 89w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA naive cop (Al Pacino) goes undercover in New York&#8217;s gay S&#038;M scene in order to help capture a serial killer.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Al Pacino Films<\/li>\n<li>Homosexuality<\/li>\n<li>Karen Allen Films<\/li>\n<li>Murder Mystery<\/li>\n<li>S&#038;M<\/li>\n<li>Serial Killers<\/li>\n<li>Undercover Cops and Agents<\/li>\n<li>William Friedkin Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nThis notorious thriller &#8212; lambasted upon its release by many gay rights groups and critics &#8212; is ultimately more of a voyeuristic mood piece than an effective murder-mystery. While director Friedkin does a good job establishing the racy milieu of underground S&#038;M clubs (his attention to detail is almost that of an anthropologist), his plot falters when it comes to characterization and consistency. We never learn enough about Pacino&#8217;s character to understand &#8212; or care about &#8212; the transformation he undergoes:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Pacino2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Pacino2-1024x578.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Pacino2-1024x578.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Pacino2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Pacino2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Pacino2-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Pacino2-1536x867.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Pacino2-478x270.png 478w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Pacino2.png 1795w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and Karen Allen as his girlfriend (a potential protagonist for audiences to relate to) is wasted in a bit role. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Allen.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Allen-1024x567.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"354\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67807\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Allen-1024x567.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Allen-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Allen-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Allen-768x426.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Allen-1536x851.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Allen-487x270.png 487w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Allen-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Allen.png 1821w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In addition, the killer&#8217;s motivations are never satisfactorily explored, and the film&#8217;s resolution &#8212; when a likable character is inexplicably killed off &#8212; is confusing. With that said, <em>Cruising<\/em> remains must-see viewing simply for its erstwhile notoriety, and for Friedkin&#8217;s attempt at depicting one man&#8217;s &#8220;descent&#8221; into an uncomfortably foreign world. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Effective use of NY&#8217;s underground S&#038;M scene as a setting<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Bars3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Bars3-1024x575.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Bars3-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Bars3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Bars3-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Bars3-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Bars3-1536x863.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Bars3-481x270.png 481w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Bars3.png 1821w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Cinematography-1024x582.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"364\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67805\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Cinematography-1024x582.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Cinematography-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Cinematography-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Cinematography-768x437.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Cinematography-1536x873.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Cinematography-475x270.png 475w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Cruising-Cinematography.png 1813w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, simply for its historical notoriety.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Controversial Film<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0080569\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sfgate.com\/cgi-bin\/article.cgi?f=\/c\/a\/1995\/05\/12\/DD33685.DTL\">SF Chronicle Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sfgate.com\/cgi-bin\/article.cgi?f=\/e\/a\/1995\/05\/12\/WEEKEND4566.dtl\">SF Gate Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.qnetwork.com\/review\/203\">Q Network Review (spoilers alert)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/film\/69910.html\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s a lot you don&#8217;t know about me.&#8221; Synopsis: A naive cop (Al Pacino) goes undercover in New York&#8217;s gay S&#038;M scene in order to help capture a serial killer. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Al Pacino Films Homosexuality Karen Allen Films Murder Mystery S&#038;M Serial Killers Undercover Cops and Agents William Friedkin Films Review: This notorious thriller &#8212; lambasted upon its release by many gay rights groups and critics &#8212; is ultimately more of a voyeuristic mood piece than&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=3313\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3313"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86604,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3313\/revisions\/86604"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}