Director: William Friedkin
Notable Cast: Al Pacino, Paul Sorvino, Don Scardino,
Richard Cox, Joe Spinell, Karen Allen, Jay Acovone
Cruising is one of those fascinating films that, in
the grand scheme of things, has had a strange existence. Although this review
of the film is not meant to be a full analysis of the film’s history which a
viewer can get a fantastic exploration of from the various features on this
latest Arrow Video release, the film’s journey does lay context for the rest of
this review. From the heavy protesting of the film by the gay community during
its pre-production and through most of its original run to a pocket of
reclamation that has come about in recent years, the film is one that is surrounded
by controversy. When a film that is made in the late 70s to be released in 1980
concerns a serial killer stalking the S&M clubs of New York, it was bound
to be abrasive to most viewers. Thus, it’s a prime film to earn its own cult following.
With the bold combination of star Al Pacino and director William Friedkin, Cruising
has the talent to be a fantastic film. Can it rise above its controversial
status to do so?