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"Cruising" - Love it or Loathe it?
Kerry:
--- Quote from: David on September 22, 2007, 10:11:33 pm ---I think I remember that movie Kerry. But I didn't see it. I think most of the movie theaters in Indiana banned that movie, so it didn't play here. That was a long time ago, and I may have my facts wrong, but I do remember a lot of uproar over that movie. I didn't see it.
--- End quote ---
It's worth seeing, for the reasons I mentioned.
Should you borrow the DVD, David, I would be interested in your interpretation of the ending. I saw it with a group of friends and we all interpreted the ending differently! ::)
It's not exactly what one would call an "entertaining" movie. In fact, it's quite disturbing. I had a similar reaction to the very first "Halloween" movie, when it was first released - darkly disturbing, yet unforgettable. Cruising is so chilling because the skill of the filmmakers seduces one into believing that it could possibly happen. If you liked "Zodiac," you'll like "Cruising."
I'll probably borrow the DVD when it's released here in Oz. But I'll be having a few drinks beforehand and will be watching certain scenes through my fingers! :o
huntinbuddy:
I recorded the movie Cruising when it was on Encore, or Cinemax several years ago. I know it is boxed up with other VHS things I have never watched again. Did watch it as I recorded it, and thought it was a bad, poorly scripted film. I remember it as something about a serial killer of homosexuals in NYC, and Pacino as a cop going undercover to catch the killer. Overall, I thought it was a waste of talent. Even now after many years, I can't see the point of taking the time to watch it again, much less buy the DVD.
dot-matrix:
It's such a dark gritty menacing movie, very scary almost repulsive in it's brutality. I've seen it twice now and found it almost painful to watch both times. I had the same reaction to Seven.
Kerry:
--- Quote from: garycottle on November 08, 2007, 07:37:27 pm ---P.S. It's been a long time so I don't really remember the ending, but I think I do recall being confused by the ending, now that you mention it.
--- End quote ---
Beware Spoilers
I am about to reveal the ending, so do not read further if you don't want the ending revealed to you.
The Al Pacino character was painted as an overtly heterosexual NYC cop who goes undercover into the seedy gay S&M scene solely so he can track-down a serial killer.
After the threat presented by the serial killer is negated by Al Pacino, it is presumed that Al Pacino will return to the straight world from whence he came, and shrug-off all the leather S&M fetish accoutrement/clothing he adopted in his undercover role.
The mystery to me is why he is seen, in the final scene of the film, back to camera, fully decked-out in black leather, heading towards a gay S&M bar. Why? The serial killer is no longer a threat. There's no reason for Al Pacino to be there.
The worst possible scenario, as I see it, is that he set-up the other guy and that he is the real serial killer.
Alternatively, he could have had an Ennis Del Mar-like epiphany and found that, once he'd tried it, he found he actually enjoyed gay sex, and is going back for more.
I thought the ambiguous ending was one of the highlights of the film. Certainly, we all left the cinema engaged in very animated discussion.
My personal favourite interpretation of the ending is that Al Pacino is the real serial killer. I think this because the final scene is shot in such a menacing, sinister light.
Lynne:
I haven't seen this, but it's in the netflix queue. Should come this week when I return Buffy/Season2. :D
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