The Anticipation Prior to the Ride
When Cruise was first announced, it was more than a romantic comedy set in neon-lit 1980s New York. The interest was first generated by the casting of then-rising star Emily Ratajkowski, known for her role in Gone Girl and her social media popularity, alongside Spencer Boldman. The film complemented its nostalgia with a contemporary take and promised a cinematic experience of the past and present.
1980s New York Romance
Set in 1987, Cruise tells the story of Gio Fortunato (Spencer Boldman), a young, blue-collar, second-generation Italian American, as he tries to love, achieve the American dream, and discover himself. He lives for the car culture and his friends, and is emotionally invested in the love of his life. Jessica (Emily Ratajkowski) is the woman who enters his life and forces him to re-evaluate his goals. Their relationship is the main feature of the film, discussing love, self-discovery, and social constructs.
Characters in Flux
Gio’s journey depicts the critical situation for many young individuals trying to bridge the gap between modernity and tradition. Interactions between him and his family, especially his father, show the ‘dreams vs. expectations’ clashes which instigates uncomfortable conversations about generational differences. For Gio, Jessica represents the unknown and encourages him to face his fears and expand his worldview. The two have an interdependent relationship in which each one takes turns offering the other help and the two grow and develop individually and collectively in the process.
Cinematic Choices and Symbolism
When it comes to grounding the film and conceding the center stage to the characters’ emotions, Director Robert D. Siegel uses a muted color palette similar to the 1980s films and reminds the audience to the period. The theme of cars and driving which appears several times in the movie shows the characters’ literal and abstract journeys. Driving, most importantly, illustrates control, autonomy, and the ability to steer one’s life in a preferred direction. The film’s soundtrack and period music adds to the nostalgia and highlights the key emotional moments of the story.
Real-Life Parallels
Spencer Boldman embodies Gio in a way that reflects his own reality as a young actor in the field, similarly, as Boldman’s character, he has also had to come to terms with competing personal goals. Having established herself as a passionate advocate for women’s bodily autonomy, Emily Ratajkowski also invests Jessica with a meaning that goes far beyond that of a conventional romantic interest. Ratajkowski’s performance animates the character in such a way that Jessica becomes more than just a love interest as a motivating force for positive transformation in Gio’s life.
Behind the Scenes
Production was in the center of New York which typically poses the usual urban shoot challenges of the tight operational schedople, weather uncertainty, and the city’s relentless hustle. Still, such factors as time and weather produce the desired filmic authenticity. They captured the essence of the city and its impact on the characters. There was no doubt about the chemistry between the two, each of the actors was fully committed to the task of breathing life into the characters in a way that told the story as intended.
Audience Reception and Cultural Impact
When it was released, Cruise was recognized for depicting young love and the nuances surrounding identity. Viewers enjoyed the film for its nostalgic qualities and for capturing the nuances of love. The film was elaborated on through user-generated discourse and analyses of character arcs on social media. It affected the 1980s inspired aesthetic and fashion specifically, appealing to the film’s audience.
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