Cruise is a romantic drama released in 2018 and written and directed by Robert D. Siegel. The film features Spencer Boldman and Emily Ratajkowski, and aims to capture the essence of American youth culture during the summer of 1987. Combines themes of coming-of-age nostalgia, forbidden love, cultural clash, living fiercely, classic street racing, and vintage muscle cars over the outer boroughs of New York City.
Plot Summary
The story follows Gio Fortunato a young Italian American mechanic and street racer from the Bronx. Alongside his rough exterior, impulsiveness, and deep devotion to his local scene, he is intensely devoted to fast cars and a world filled with the promise of adrenaline. His life, though simple in structure, is anything but calm. With car repair, highway races, and dominating the street racing community, Gio has plenty of excitement to chase.
Weinberg Jessica enters the stage as a typical Jewish princess from Long Island. She has almost everything opposed to Gio: sheltered, more focused on academia, and used to the suburban cozy life. Despite the superficial aspects, Jessica maintains an image of a well put together woman, underneath she craves something deeper than the mundane life of her neatly groomed society. That very same summer night, that yearning leads her to the Bronx where she crosses paths with Gio.
What evolves from a simply chance encounter quickly accelerates into a serious love affair, albeit unexpected. At first, they are both taken aback by how quickly flirtation attains new layers. Jessica’s desire Gio is captivated by her curiosity, going hand in hand with his boldness. The embrace of the summer not only brings blistering heat, it locks the couple into an everlasting romance. Triggered by the couple’s lifestyle, the affair becomes a constant wrestle over cultural differences, drastically clashing ways of life, upbringing, and values.
Initial curiosity of Jessica is soon halted by Gio’s close ties turning into sinister suspicion. Unbeknownst to her, Jessica’s family is equally skeptical. Without question, Jessica’s parents will never approve such an alliance with a low life city boy. None of it matters, with both parents unwilling to grant permission, the lovebirds quickly shift into ‘make the most of it’ mode.
However, problems arise when Gio’s lifestyle as a street racer catches up to him. An ongoing rivalry with other racers, along with an encounter with law enforcement, begins to test his resolve. At the same time, Jessica starts to contemplate her future and what role, if any, Gio would have in it.
As the film reaches its climax, there is a defining race that balances literal and metaphorical meaning. Gio’s decision-making hinges on choosing whether to keep the comfortable street fame he is accustomed to, or take a chance toward a new life outside his neighborhood, which has the possibility of including, but is not limited to, Jessica.
Main Characters and Performances
Spencer Boldman as Gio Fortunato
Known for his television work, Boldman portrays his first major leading character with assurance. His interpretation of Gio is infused with a convincing cocktail of cockiness, vulnerability, and charm. While he executes the character’s toughness quite well, it is in the softer moments that Boldman’s performance truly shines. In the reflective stretches, notably the parts where Gio grapples with his existence and role in life, is where his performance turns more powerful.
Emily Ratajkowski as Jessica Weinberg
In her inaugural lead film role, Ratajkowski portrays Jessica with depth and grace. She adds complexity to a character who has the potential to be shallow. Jessica is not simply a rebellious girl; she is an intellectually curious young woman navigating the path toward greater autonomy. Ratajkowski captures the balance between youthful idealism and fierce resolve, providing a sympathetic, relatable character.
Supporting Cast
Authentic tension also comes from supporting characters like Jessica’s well-meaning but overbearing parents and Gio’s loud, boisterous friends. These secondary characters anchor the protagonists to their respective worlds, which become more discordant the more Gio and Jessica draw together.
Direction and Style
With Cruise, Robert D. Siegel, who is known for writing The Wrestler, applies a deeply personal touch. His direction is intimate, nearly minimalistic, as he zeroes in on character interactions and setting rather than plot intricacy. The Bronx of the 1980s with its sounds, sights, and subcultures serves as the backdrop meaningfully to Siegel’s portrayal of character immersion.
The film captures the defining pastel hues and denim jackets as well as the muscle cars and neon signage with a warm, gritty palette. Emphasis on car culture remains grounded and unglamorized; racing is street-level and working-class instead of choreographed and set-piece elevated.
Film Soundtrack
To emphasize the nostalgia of the film, they added iconic songs from the 80s as well as synthesizer music from the period. The soundtrack is employed to further immerse the audience into the 1980s and serves as a glimpse into the protagonists’ emotional worlds.
Themes and Symbols
Class Distinction
The class distinction between Gio and Jessica is one of the most prominent issues in the film. Their relationship is defined by Gio’s rough working-class life and Jessica’s sheltered, upper-middle-class upbringing. While the film does not preach concerning the disparity of class, the focus allows an exploration of identity creation among youthful individuals in contrast to societal expectations.
Coming of Age
Both Jessica and Gio are experiencing significant changes in their lives. Gio attempts to embrace the responsibilities of adulthood while coming to terms with the demands of his street-racing heritage. Conversely, Jessica has stayed isolated for most of her life and is now striving for autonomy. The two characters serve as a romantic catalyst for each other’s development, irrespective of the uncertainty regarding the resolution of their relationship.
Escape and Identity
To Gio, vehicles are far more important than mere machines; they represent self-expression and freedom. He races cars as a means to feel some sort of control in a world that often limits him. Jessica’s story revolves around escaping a predictable lifestyle and crafting a life on her own terms. As with most people, both characters are seeking identity, and their love is part of that self-discovery process.
Reception
Cruise eared mixed reactions upon release. Some viewers praised its authentic setting and nostalgic attention to detail, while others felt the storyline suffered from overused tropes typical of teen romance and coming-of-age dramas. The performances of the lead actors were regarded as strong points of the film, especially considering the low-budget nature of the romantic drama.
Critics were divided as to whether the film offered new insights into youth culture or merely regurgitated tired themes. While some elements of the narrative structure might seem conventional, this film’s earnestness and sense of place were frequently highlighted as compelling.
While it was released directly to VOD platforms and did not make a significant splash commercially, it did gain some attention among audiences interested in dramas and retro-themed romance films set in the 1980s.
Conclusion
Cruise is a simple yet warm-hearted romantic drama that embraces its nostalgia. The film encapsulates a coming-of-age love story set against the backdrop of the 1980s car culture featuring urban youths that details love, identity, and contrasting worlds. Accompanied by the summer romance performances from Spencer Boldman and Emily Ratajkowski, the movie recalls the enchantment of rebellion and divergence.
This film will not redefine romance dramas, but its atmosphere and emotional depth give it credibility. It follows two young lovers seeking to discover their identity, grapple with self-definition, belonging, and the possibility of romance seeking to bridge the gap between their lives. For those seeking character-driven stories, Cruise offers an engaging experience framed in a nostalgic, period setting.
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