Movie review: Al Pacino in "Cruising" (1980)

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From the first day of filming, the 1980 film “Cruising” was the subject of controversy and protests by the gay community and their objection to the treatment of gays in the film. At that time, the gay community was still pretty much rejected and working for acceptance. The last thing the gay community wanted was a depiction of its leather world subculture of a rough sex trade scene that would be a breeding ground for the future AIDS epidemic. Based on a novel by Gerald Walker, “Cruising” exposed an unseemly side the gay community wanted to keep hidden from the general public. All proved much ado about nothing. “Cruising” bombed at the box office causing little damage to the gay community and is a forgotten film nearly 40 years later. At 106 minutes, the film seems overly long and drawn out and provided Al Pacino little opportunity to demonstrate his abilities. In fact, “Cruising” contributed to Pacino’s career slump that lasted over a decade. After the triumphs of “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist,” director William Friedkin’s career descent was hastened by this effort. The plot centers on the search for a serial killer brutally hacking yup his gay victims. The police are under pressure to capture the killer and Detective Steve Burns (Pacino) is sent undercover into the gay world. What Burns observes during his investigation is what aroused the gay community’s ire. He enters the leather bar scene in clubs like “The Wolf’s Den” catering to men decked out in leather and chains seeking each other out for anonymous and dangerous sexual encounters. New York’s finest are parodied in the roughest club “Precinct 9.” Music is loud and harsh though never drowning out squeaking leather and jangling chains. Friedkin focuses on these club scenes by using Burns as camera eye. The thin plot has been inflated with endless shots of gays in “action.” Friedkin lingers on their sexual activities to an overdone degree. The concept that this world sickens Burns is quite clear early in the film yet Friedkin relentlessly hammers the point home. Protesters claimed Friedkin misrepresented the gay world. The film is preceded by a message stating the contents of “Cruising” are representative of a small section of the gay community. What is shown on film is authentic. “Cruising” was filmed on location in New York City’s leather scene. Extras were not used. The men in the clubs are the genuine article. While gays were protesting and attempting to disrupt filming, their brethren were performing for the cameras. The subject matter of “Cruising” is unpleasant and has been photographed in a grainy style. Much was made of the violent content but is no more excessive than any other crime movie of the period. Sexual content is strong and explicit. Pacino does not have much to work with. Little is revealed about Burns except he has a girlfriend Nancy (Karen Allen) and possesses some career ambition. There is a minimum of dialogue and viewers depend Pacino’s expressions to understand his reactions to what he is witnessing and experiencing. At conclusion, it is difficult to determine how much Pacino’s role was affected by the psychological pressures of the filming experience. Friedkin adapted the script and directed a pointless film. The killer’s motivation is never fully explored and only occasional nuggets of information are offered. The director has forsaken telling a good story to exploit gay aspects. The major problem with “Cruising” is failure to entertain or be a satisfying crime thriller. There is a lack of suspense. No wonder it failed all around.