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The S&M gay scene of New York is the hunting ground of a sadistic killer and the cops need this killer caught but they are getting absolutely nowhere. All the victims are very simular in height weight hair and complexion so they turn to beat cop Steve Burns who has an uncanny resemblance to all the victims. With the promise of promotion and a decent salary Burns agrees to go undercover and give up his normal life and girlfriend until the case is finished. The further undercover Burns goes the more the cracks begin to show.
Im not going to lie i found the opening 30 odd minutes rough going the scenes inside the club were pretty full on and some strong images of extreme sexual activity. The whole film has a real sleazy vibe and sometimes it honestly made me feel uncomfortable which I'm sure was the aim and it achieved just what it set out to do.
All that aside it is a really interesting film and watching the change in Al Pacino is fantastic starting off bright eyed and bushy tailed and by the end he has a 1000 yard stare like he has seen too much not just inside the scene but how the NYPD treats the members of the gay community the levels of brutality hatred and harassment inside the force is sickening to him.
Cruising is definitely a film that will stay with me for a long time and thats what makes it so good it forces you to look at things you have no idea about it challenges you in many ways.
7/10