Alyssa Black (Aly200)
When a serial killer is targeting New York's homosexual population, it's up to one cop to stop the madman. The film's murder scenes are extremely graphic with blood galore as characters are slaughtered with unflinching cruelty. Little is left to the imagination as the viewer is subjected to these violent acts. Not for the squeamish or fainthearted (I was even repulsed and I can usually handle gory moments). Also note the film has graphic nudity and is not for sensitive viewers (again I was taken aback).The acting is limited in the film as it relies heavily on natural atmosphere and less than on spoken dialogue. Al Pacino manages to pull off a decent performance as undercover officer Steve Burns, who is tasked with finding the sadistic murderer. Pacino is mostly silent as he skulks through New York's seedy underbelly. This movie is more of a one-time viewing unless this appeals to your taste more than mine.
simon-35-260097
One of the most hard-hitting movies ever made IMO .... One of Pacino's best ever performances. Paul Sorvino is great and in general the casting and quality of the cast is as good as it gets .If you are homophobic don't watch it . This movie is not 'politically correct' and would not get made today, not by a long shot. It is very much a time capsule - pre AIDS and before they 'cleaned up' NYC The music used is great especially the stuff by Mutiny.A lot of people will not be able to get past the 'subject matter' But if you have an open mind , let yourself descend into the darkness of what is one of the darkest films ever made ....
Get_your_azz_to_Mars
William Friedkin's controversial 'Cruising' is a challenging and oftentimes frustrating film. The story centers around Al Pacino going undercover to find a serial killer in the gay BDSM culture of late 70's NYC. The story seems simply enough, right? Well, it's deceiving as what Friedkin does is take the audience into a dark abyss of sordid sex, extreme debauchery, and brutal violence. It is, quite honestly, one of the more uncomfortable American films of the period to sit through.The problem with the picture are the character motivations are vague for virtually all involved (Pacino, the killer, and the police chief). Why is the killer doing this? Why is Pacino starting to lose it? What is the deal with the police chief? Does he care about Pacino or not? Everything is so opaque and mysterious that the film is both fascinating and aggravating at the same time. And perhaps that was done on purpose, but considering reportedly 40 minutes was cut from the film I would imagine that many of those questions I posed were more clear. The ending itself is even more strange and confusing and I would suspect that while the ending wouldn't have been wrapped up in a nice little bow for the audience (nor would I expect that in a Friedkin film), the viewer could at least attempt to make more sense of it.
Vivekmaru45
I heard about this film and decided to see it. William Friedkin has become a house-hold name with films like The Exorcist and The French Connection, To Live and Die in L.A., Rampage, The Guardian and Sorceror.The film starts with the discovery of a body part in the Hudson river. This body part is one among many pieces which were discovered. New York Police Captain Edelson(Paul Sorvino) assigns Officer Steve Burns(Al Pacino), who resembles the victims, is sent deep undercover into the urban world of gay S&M and leather bars in the Meatpacking District in order to track down the killer.Friedkin gives us scenes to what goes on inside the gay S&M and leather bars. Also there is a scene of some cops harassing a pair of transvestites and ordering them to give bl*wjobs inside their squad car. We hear one of the cops say. "I knew a guy once who was a coke-sucker". We hear his partner immediately say:"before that he was a cork-soaker". This dialogue shows the society's views on homosexualism during that time. The murder scenes depicted in the film are hardcore. Pacino's acting is excellent as always. His role in the film was to bring the serial out and the way he accomplishes this task is why you should rent or buy this excellent film. I've seen this film about three or four times already and it gets better with every watch. Also I should mention that Paul Sorvino, another favorite of mine, gives a powerful portrayal of New York Police Captain Edelson who is given a deadline by the Mayor to solve this case or else...Other serial killer films to see/buy: The Deliberate Stranger(1986), Ted Bundy(2002), To Catch A Killer(1992), Dear Mr. Gacy (2010), Albert Fish: In Sin He Found Salvation (2007), The Gray Man(2007), Dahmer (2002),The Secret Life: Jeffrey Dahmer (1993), Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1986), Citizen X(1995), Evilenko(2004), The Hunt for The BTK Killer(2005), Confessions Of A Serial killer(1985), Deranged (1974), H.H. Holmes America's First Serial killer(2004). Enjoy!
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