Review of Cruising (1980) by Tim G — 10 Aug 2015
This is a gloriously sleazy and lurid thriller from master of controversy William Friedkin, concerning Al Pacino's cop going undercover into the world of gay SnM clubs in order to find a serial killer, it's a somewhat misguided film in it's sometimes ridiculous and seedy depiction of gay culture as something dark and fearful that is having a bad effect on our protagonist, trying to fight the closeted side of himself.
But its such a confrontational and graphic movie, both in it's depictions of the giallo esc splatter killings and the (sometimes real) gay sex, plus it's grimy look at early 80's new york, that it remains compulsive and brilliantly nasty viewing that you cant rip your eyes off.
A particular highlight is Pacino's hilarious dancing and a truly bizarre scene that I still cant get my head around were a massive, nearly naked black guy bitch slaps a dude in a police station.
This review of Cruising (1980) was written by Tim G on 10 Aug 2015.
Cruising has generally received mixed reviews.
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