Cruising

Most movies are made with the idea of escapism for the audience, within the confines of the story a journey takes them into a realm that is different and strange. Add William Friedkin, the director of The Exorcist and The French Connection, and Al Pacino into that mix with their high intensity film making and acting and you end up with a film that the audience won't soon forget.
Officer Steve Burns goes undercover to track down a serial killer who is attacking gay men involved in the S&M subculture of New York City. Shooting this entire movie in New York gives it the true gritty feel of the city and with the graphic scenes that draws the audience into the customs and practices of this gay subculture your left wondering how real the whole thing is. The two roles that stand out in this film are that of Pacino and Paul Sorvino, both play their characters to the hilt and when you walk away at the end your left wondering just what happens next to these people.
Back in 1980 when this movie first hit the screens there was a distinct shock value to some of the scenes, and after all these years the scenes are still in some ways disturbing. If you like a good thriller that leaves you thinking al the way through the film then this is a movie to watch. This isn't particularly a movie that is easy to watch with all of the openly homosexual acts that are viewed but the intensity and complexity of the story drives this into a must see category. With the authentic acting by Pacino and the on location filming you begin to see how close this way of life is to the "mainstream" that we see every day.