Cruising (Deluxe Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Cruising (Deluxe Edition)
Movie Review: Cops in the Band
Summary: 3 Stars
For all the justifications offered by the filmmakers in the docs and commentaries here there's simply no getting over the fact that this is an expression of straight panic and the vilest bigotry. Neither can you escape the fact that it works as an entertainingly lurid thriller, 70s time capsule as well as a cluelessly campy portrait of the world it pretends to expose. (Watch hapless Al try and figure out the proper "hankie", or throwing out his stack of porn -- one magazine at at a time -- I defy you not to laugh.)
However, the homophobia is so intense that Freidkin sacrifices all storytelling logic. He revels in thinking the killer's identity is ambiguous. It isn't, all the killings have to be commited by the crazed I'm-Here-You're Here dude, even if they are played by differnt actors. He fails to realize that larger case he's making is that gay sex is like a virus spreading violence and death. He seems oblivious to the irony that the real thing would be visited on this community soon enough. (Freidkin does mention on the commentary an actor died soon after filming but doesn't say why.)
I'm not saying the filmakers are bad people, but they're certainly misguided. It would have been nice if the documentary had included a lookback from some of the surviving aggrieved parties as it certainly seems they had some valid points.
Movie Review: A Fury of Fistings
Summary: 3 Stars
There's a certain expectation of sensationalism that comes with watching a William Friedkin film - one scene that will have your jaw dropping at the audaciousness of it, and that stays with you long after. Cruising, however, doesn't.
It's a well-crafted work, to be sure, and features great performances from supporting players Karen Allen and Paul Sorvino, but ultimately it leaves one with a sense of dissatisfaction. Friedkin here delves deep into New York's gay underworld of leather bars and kinky sex (he's not representing it as the whole of the lifestyle, just a subculture), occasionally spicing it up with a murder scene.
It's really a showcase for the formidable talents of Al Pacino (before the hysteria of his later work)here as an undercover cop investigating the brutal slayings of men who all seem to share the same lifestyle.
It's not bad Friedkin (like Jade or The Guardian) or brilliant Friedkin (Sorcerer, The French Connection), just very, very, average Friedkin. There's nothing memorable going on here for his fans, but does get a solid performace from Pacino. Not for all tastes.
Movie Review: Interesting but innacurate
Summary: 3 Stars
As steamy as it seems, obviously things were toned down for the general public, the movie doesn't really accomplish much in either erotic tone or heart throbbing suspense. Actually I am surprised at how graphic it is for that time period. Sadly, probably to avoid an X rating and major protests from Christian fanatics as well as the gay leather community, they book was not carefully recreated. But then, is it ever?! It could have been much better but of course this is Hollywood, not a place that is interested in creating art, or dedicated to honest recreations of great books (not that this is a great book). It's only interested in generating money.Movie Review: Interesting if confused film
Summary: 3 Stars
As others have said, this is a love-it or hate-it affair pretty much from "go." The plot of the film is confusing, the third act quite ludicrous, and the portrayl of leather gays coming quite close to homophobia. That said, the film is a major Hollywood production dealing with a minority subculture (leather) with a great actor in the lead. The music & sound design are quite good and cinematography is excellent. Seeing the film decades removed from the scandal, what strikes one most about the film is its ambiance, something Friedkin is a master at. An important if over-heated and under-though film.Movie Review: significant and unsavory
Summary: 3 Stars
I saw this opening weekend amidst the well deserved protests of a community demanding respect. It is a chilly, chilling film with no easy answers. I am glad to see the rerelease to see if we can look at it again in an historical context. It is a technically masterful film and a I think Freidkin both exploited and questioned the damages wrought by homophobia.This is also probably Freidkins Waterloo. Thereafter he seemed to abandon his singular vision that gave raw impulse to BOYS IN THE BAND, FRENCH CONNECTION & EXORCIST to main stream pap like "The Guardian."