Cruising (1980)
November 16, 2022 8:07 AM - Subscribe
A psychopath is scouring New York City gay clubs and viciously slaying homosexuals. Detective Steve Burns (Al Pacino) is ordered to don leather attire, hang at the city's S&M joints and keep an eye out for the killer. But as Steve becomes immersed in club hopping, he begins to identify with the subculture more than he expected. Meanwhile, Steve behaves distantly around his girlfriend, Nancy (Karen Allen), the police force's homophobia becomes apparent and the killer remains at large.
Also starring Paul Sorvino, Richard Cox, Don Scardino, Ed O'Neill, James Remar, Powers Boothe.
Directed by William Friedkin. Screenplay by William Friedkin. Based on Cruising by Gerald Walker.
50% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Currently available for digital rental in the US on multiple outlets. JustWatch listing.
Today, I'm going to post six movies that are problematic and/or made by/starring problematic people, but also either: have merit/are acclaimed; won some awards; are very popular; have a certain amount of cultural cachet. I'll be tagging these #problematicmovies.
The film was controversial upon release and sparked protests from gay activists who felt that the film had a homophobic political message and that it portrayed gay men as being attracted to violence, which could in turn justify homophobic hate crimes. Opinions from critics and some (though not all) within the gay community have softened some over the years. Notably, the film is a major source of inspiration/reference for the eleventh season of American Horror Story.
Also starring Paul Sorvino, Richard Cox, Don Scardino, Ed O'Neill, James Remar, Powers Boothe.
Directed by William Friedkin. Screenplay by William Friedkin. Based on Cruising by Gerald Walker.
50% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Currently available for digital rental in the US on multiple outlets. JustWatch listing.
Today, I'm going to post six movies that are problematic and/or made by/starring problematic people, but also either: have merit/are acclaimed; won some awards; are very popular; have a certain amount of cultural cachet. I'll be tagging these #problematicmovies.
The film was controversial upon release and sparked protests from gay activists who felt that the film had a homophobic political message and that it portrayed gay men as being attracted to violence, which could in turn justify homophobic hate crimes. Opinions from critics and some (though not all) within the gay community have softened some over the years. Notably, the film is a major source of inspiration/reference for the eleventh season of American Horror Story.
related: the james franco associated project Interior. Leather Bar
posted by j_curiouser at 9:04 AM on November 16, 2022
"Interior. Leather Bar" is being sold as Franco and codirector Travis Mathews' imagining of the 40 minutes that the ratings board made director William Friedkin cut from his 1980 thriller "Cruising," an Al Pacino thriller about a straight cop navigating the "gay underworld", to avoid an X-rating. But the project isn't quite what it purports to be.- Matt Zoller Seitz, ebert critic
posted by j_curiouser at 9:04 AM on November 16, 2022
I've been thinking a lot of this movie during the current season of American Horror Story. Probably time for a rewatch.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:07 PM on November 16, 2022
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:07 PM on November 16, 2022
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posted by Saxon Kane at 8:18 AM on November 16, 2022 [1 favorite]