Cruising Quick Review / Ending Explained

[@TomTheCurator]

I meant plagued the 70s but I guess it plagued the 80s as well.

[@FirstmaninRome]

just watched it, kinda needed that ending explained, enigmatic was kinda in then I guess. Friedkin is good. BUt it's Amazing how much better To live and die in LA is, and holds up so Well, just a couple of years later. I liked dog day afternoon better though, one of my favorite 70s movies. So this was a great explanitory video.

[@imbluz]

Cruising is actually a brilliant, but very misunderstood film.

[@jcoltrane8976]

Misunderstood? It’s hilariously bad.

[@MrOctober44]

​@@jcoltrane8976 proving it's misunderstood if that's your opinion.

[@SharkWhosFondOfBond]

​@@jcoltrane8976 YOU try making something better, wait, you can't! Also, you really need to pay attention to the scenes or be a Friedkin fan to truly understand.

[@MiniLemmy]

I appreciated it not being gratuitous, since I’m hetero and can’t watch anything any more full on gay

[@l.b.7543]

Too much gay shit going on in that film

[@TheRoddster7]

A lot of movies in this era had ambiguous endings that left the audience confused or that they had to reach their own conclusions. You really can’t get away with them now as audiences demand answers

[@MiniLemmy]

Not too mention the woke mob would hate it for not being gay enough and painting them in a bad light…..

[@elbandito5411]

Well I figured in the end Pacino's character killed his neighbor because he was starting to like him and felt just like the original killer that his neighbor made Pacino like him which comes back to the killer saying, "you made me do that". Plus the hat, jacket and mirror shades that his girlfriend found also points to Pacino becoming the new killer.

[@killbot_factory]

yeah that's kind of my one big issue with what is otherwise an excellent film, if you go with this interpretation as I did, it kind of implies exposure to homosexuality makes one question their own sexuality, which apparently is so shameful that he has to murder anyone who he feels a connection with, because being gay is so scary

[@elbandito5411]

@@killbot_factory that's basically what he feels. He hates feeling for a guy and he blames homosexuals for it except for facing the fact that he may be homosexual himself.

[@arcampbellart]

@@killbot_factory I think that sounds more like a commentary on toxic masculinity and homophobia than anything else. Plus I feel the time and place this movie was set and made makes that possible message feel very real and I don’t wanna say understandable, but authentic to how challenged toxic/insecure men could’ve felt.

[@SpaceFirebird]

@Aragorn66 I just finished watching the movie and that's exactly what I thought. I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this. But now I'm even more confused...

[@MiniLemmy]

All the ending does is imply that there was more than one killer - I didn’t get any sense at all that Pacino’s character did that last murder, though it was fairly obvious that the movie wanted you to think that

[@thenicklas615]

The first murder was the most brutal to me anyways the victim laying on his stomach petrofied knowing he's going to die and pleading to his killer to have mercy on him, very evil and gruesome indeed.

[@Paddrique]

The most fascinating part about this movie is that if this would have been made today shot by shot, it would get raving reviews similar to some of the Blumhouse productions that share an unintentional-seeming comedic element. It would be talked about as some kind of genius subversive commentary even if made by a straight director (Ari Aster?). I’m no way saying that that is really what Friedkin was trying to do, but if made today with a modern view on homosexuality by the GP, the straight male lead would probably be featured in OUT Magazine for taking on something this ambiguous.

[@MiniLemmy]

I disagree - I think the woke mob would hate it for not being gay enough and painting homosexuals in a bad light - the only reason I was able to watch this movie is because it was never as gratuitous with the gay stuff as it could have been

[@Paddrique]

@@MiniLemmy lost me at woke mob… the people that actually see things in nuance?

[@aesop1451]

@@Paddrique Look up Red, White, and Royal Blue. That's what the woke mob considers good gay representation. They would call Cruising far r1ght.

[@2Hot2]

I think Pacino's confusion in the final scene just means that he's insecure about his sexuality (turning bi-) not that he actually killed the neighbor, The fact that the victim is Pacino's neighbor practically proves that P. was not involved, because it would be absolutely idiotic for him to commit such a suspicious murder. On top of that, we've already seen the victim's flipped-out psycho roommate wielding a knife.

[@MiniLemmy]

Correct perception imo

[@strothermartin5368]

That announcer should have been in the film.I think he was the one in the mask!

[@sppenceslice300]

LOL

[@charliecats2056]

this in fact is true, welcome to the detective division.

[@l.b.7543]

@strothermartin5368 He knew more about the gays than the entire detective division

[@strothermartin5368]

@@l.b.7543 👍

[@marcoantoniomarquezperez2652]

This flick had a ton of would be big name actors. Including Powers Boothe, Ed O' Neil , Joe Spinell (my Favorite)and James Remar just to name a few. It also stars Gene Davis. He played warren Stacey in 10 To Midnight.

[@mr.d.572]

I met Joe Spinell when he did a screening of Maniac and talked about the film.

[@edwardtoyebo9690]

This film is not about violence towards the gay community. It is about a man who sees sexual violence around him and how it affects his already precarious mental state. When his girlfriend mentions his father, the soundtrack gives us a musical cue and Pacino gets that haunted Friedkin look. There was something already present in Steve Burns psyche and the underworld of Cruising brought out the killer in him. IMHO.

[@leishayoung4124]

Watched this recently, great movie. Classy affair given the subject matter, and comes back from sheer exploitation to tell a compelling story about a a subculture of New York. Very well done on every level. I also loved Pacino giving a wonderfully wound back, nuanced and somewhat ambiguous performance. We never really quite know what's going on in his mind as he processes and navigates this new world...along with his audience.

[@jaysonb.6669]

And the director HATED him on set for his unprofessional antics! Either amazing editing or Pacino is just a naturally gifted face/person for cinema.

[@Hirthirthirt]

This movie is brilliant and only could be created by the 80s

[@michaelsweenie-lane359]

Love this movie !! Went at least 8 times to the theater to see it on release as the shocked audience reaction was so entertaining - I have seen it many times since then - I visited many of the bars in the film when I was only 17 when I travelled to NYC in the late 70's -I also went through quite a few copies of the soundtrack over the years

[@VivalaryMan]

Are you by any chance a homosexual?

[@carloshidalgo3155]

Could you be one of🤣🤣 the killers, then? Just kidding, though

[@juancanalesdelacruz7754]

This was a great film I really don’t understand the hate it’s super good in my opinion

[@The_whimsickal_artist]

Friedkin is one of my favourite directors as well. This film was unsettling, but great. Bug is another film he did that was good.

[@killgazmotron]

I dont think its different killers as in the movie flashes of the first killing show up in scenes of the last guy shown as the killer. The different actors portraying the killer i think is supposed to symbolize the mystery of who it actually is, as he is an unknown and could be anybody. This is further shown by the actor who is the "first" killer leaving with Pacino too suggested sexual acts in the park, to only show pacino later alive and well in the very next scene, and then that actor getting killed later. In combination with the flashes towords the end of the movie of a murder that that guy shouldnt know about if he wasnt the killer, It clears it up pretty much i think. The killers are different because we arent supposed to know who they are, but they were all the "last" killer. Though the very last kill, the one of the neighbor down the hall, is definitely strongly suggested to have been done by pacino's character, which i think is pretty clear that that is his one and only kill in the film.

[@urge251980]

Joe "Maniac" Spinell @ 0:54 lol RIP

[@kamillgran9408]

It is one of Pacino’s best movies, and frankly it’s a great movie.

[@MiniLemmy]

Must have been a challenging role for him - pretty sure he wouldn’t have accepted it if it was any more full on

[@georgieboy9101]

This was a book before a movie but the book is sadly out of print. I am sure however reading the book you truly find out who the killer is.

[@davidmiller8856]

had the paperback. thanks.

[@jessewright2319]

You made me do that.....

[@biggj21]

...he cruzed meere, maan!!!🚬

[@theDrzhivargo]

karen allen alone was worth the price of admission!

[@kbrodeur]

breathe when you're going from sentence to sentence.

[@TomTheCurator]

I actually cut them out. The main issue is with the edit and shortness of each recorded bit TBH.

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

If you grew up in this time, in this place, then you KNOW that the music is 100% spot-on authentic!

[@castmastersoutdoors7762]

Who was the guy walking into the club again at the end

[@carmenroffa]

Steve I think

[@midnightson33]

I really like your take on the film and ending. great and fresh perspective.

[@9gene406]

This ending made me question my existence

[@strothermartin5368]

0:54 Family had a lot of buffers!

[@allsystemsgo8678]

Funny how hated this movie was. Ironically, Pacino made a very similar movie in Sea of love. But that was a female killer, and not a gay male. That movie was a hit and Pacino was praised for his role.

[@HanksterB]

funny, just rented Sea of Love (saw it when it came out in theaters). Enjoyed it much more than Cruising

[@gls153h7]

Paul Sorvino comes off like the last place he wants to be is in this movie

[@carmenroffa]

He's a brilliant actor his character looks so sad

[@MiniLemmy]

Did seem a bit of a miscast….

[@isrv]

Pacino at the end still hanging on to the jacket and glasses 😭 ohhnooo what a thrilling ending for sure detectives got their man but someone is taking their walk once again

[@jasonguinn2435]

I agree - never saw the movie until after I discovered a song by Skatt Bros used in the film. The movie is solid and disturbing - very well done. I really liked it and recommend it to anyone.

[@tamsmith6751]

In the 1970's a serial killer raged through New Yorks gay clubs killing men. He was caught and went to prison.

[@Sawrattan]

Oof, I must disagree about the music, one of the best things about the film!

[@maohuerta]

Yes, now we all dance to Gaga's shit 🤮🤣

[@9gene406]

Yes it really added chills down my spine with the look of al pacino

[@SharkWhosFondOfBond]

The music was amazingly put together and was great in general!

[@DemetriosKatsantonis]

Well done review 👍

[@mhrbernards6589]

What was that gray uniform Pacino was wearing? A regular police uniform?

[@giuseppe4112]

Nope

[@lenblack1462]

Cadet uniform.

[@lonewolfomegamale690]

Who's here.... I'm here.... you're here..

[@paulofachiolo2519]

One question ! Who killed the nice blonde guy by the bathtub at the end of the movie ?

[@carmenroffa]

Steve Burns

[@MiniLemmy]

We aren’t meant to know, only to speculate

[@paulofachiolo2519]

@@carmenroffa i knew it ✌🏻😉

[@williamdon3442]

The music is one of the best things about this film. IMO

[@Yellow_Devil_]

Why would Pacino's character have killed his neighbor, though?

[@allsystemsgo8678]

Perhaps because he had sex with him and didn't want anyone to find out.

[@davesmith-rs1yo]

Be was closet

[@nombre7991]

he had feelings for him but couldn't accept it, he even got in a fight with ted's roommate when he said he was in love with ted

[@leishayoung4124]

@@davesmith-rs1yo I think, at the very least, he discovered he is bisexual.

[@yourlehrness]

I think the boyfriend killed Ted

[@agentfactual3803]

What's with the gay black cowboy

[@dr.2335]

When he comes in the second time and slaps the other guy and he screams “who *is* that guy?” I fucking died laughing and I don’t think it was supposed to be funny.

[@victordeavila4195]

it was a good review man. keep working!

[@carloshidalgo3155]

I never really understood all the fuzz of the Gay community towards this film, honestly. It does say, at the beginning of it, that it does not intend to be a global view but just a segment of what the gay scene might be. Sometimes, though, some love playing victims or drama so as to be noticed.... This film is brilliant and i dont think it could me made nowadays....

[@haroldlebo2005]

IMOP this has to be one of the best mystery and suspense movies ever made.

[@chasepalumbo2929]

Great analysis man. I always had a soft spot for this movie

[@szymonskowronski5689]

It's not a movie about discovering sexuality by being exposed to gay stuff. Its about becoming a killer by being exposed to murders.

[@MrOctober44]

His most hated film? If you say so

[@batgurrl]

Wow nice for you to revisit this blast from the past. Yes I DID go see it but other than Pacino I only remembered broad strokes. I would like to see it again now from your review. Please do something on 2 other Friedkin movies Bug and Killer Joe. No I am not asking for his most obvious one lol I wonder if the writer of Donnie Brasko got any ideas from this one hehe

[@TomTheCurator]

Funny enough Killer Joe is mentioned in a upcoming film recommendation video. I gotta see Bug though.

[@batgurrl]

Tom The Critic Bug is also written by Tracey Lettes or however you spell his name. It’s different than Killer Joe but it’s sick and twisted in a different way. Michael Shannon and Ashley Judd - both should have been nominated for some awards hehe. I recommend it if you like Killer Joe at all. I think Ray Liotta was in there in a supporting role. No oral rape by a chicken thigh tho

[@Doby]

👏GJ

[@MediaBuster]

talk faster.

[@billjoe39]

The bad editing seen in this film was also apparent in The Exorcist. It comes across as merely, sloppy, as opposed to the goal of creating more suspense, or jarring the viewers. Furthermore, many of his films are heavily political, and nihilistic, as with this one, 'Bug' ( about crazed conspiracy theorists) To Live and Die in LA ( police corruption ) and The French Connection.

[@stefanturner1802]

Cruising is a cracking good film. Dark, tense and disturbing. Not sure the gays like it, and I can understand why.

[@MiniLemmy]

Ah! I get the ending now….bit of a twist to have more than one killer - despite being hetero I did enjoy this movie, though some of the gayness made me cringe a little to watch it, it was never as gratuitous as it could have been, and made it being set in the gay scene a part of the story instead of being the story (if that makes sense…it’s definitely not a gay movie per se) This must have been a challenging role for Al Pacino, since I don’t think he would have accepted it if it was more full on…..

[@gjsm916916]

I think Al Pacino was the killer the whole time.

[@DannyM.D.N.A]

What a bullshit ending

[@dirkdiggler5581]

Pacino is the killer

[@dirkdiggler5581]

Pacino is the killer who sang the song „ I’m here. You here“ nobody told him ever this lines was used by the killer

[@cometclear]

Perhaps, but in all the killing scenes, the killer is clearly taller and skinnier than the main character.

[@MiniLemmy]

Doubt it - but the movie definitely wanted us to think it….

[@josephinetracy1485]

Like all people who've been artificially elevated to 1st Class Citizenship status, they hide a tremendous dark past. The ruling class has always been largely made up of homosexual men, such as the Bohemian Club in San Francisco; all the top people in the finance, the corporate world, real estate, politics, education, sports and entertainment, unelected bureaucrats, media bosses, leaders in the fashion industry, heads of publishing companies, powerful lobbyists, leaders of supernational alliances, heads of powerful foundations and think tanks, etc.... and mostly homosexual men. A far right wing "gay political elite" which projects itself as Liberal, and a gullible public which has no effective way to oppose it.

[@michaelsweenie-lane359]

LOL

[@MiniLemmy]

Agreed

[@nandezification]

Pretty good ending explanation. You should’ve stretched it out more and gone into it more in depths because it makes a lot more sense if there’s more than one killer. The first killer got killed by second killer for sure.