Review: The Cruise
Starring: Timothy Levitch
Directed by: Bennett Miller
Review by: Joy Wyse [1998]
Visually and vocally, Timothy Levitch is a cross between Woody Allen and Tiny Tim. Unfortunately he doesn't have the talent of either and his voice is reminiscent of fingernails on the blackboard. This is particularly unfortunate as he is the narrator of the film, essentially the only one who speaks.
It has been said that each person will ultimately have his 15 minutes of fame. In this movie, even 15 minutes is too long. The premise is a good one: following a sightseeing cruise bus through the streets of New York City. There are occasional shots of points of interest, like the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and The World Trade Center, but they are too few and far between. Sights such as the UN Building, Fulton Fish Market, etc are but a blink of the eye.
A very nice musical score is almost hidden beneath the rambling narration. The viewer is asked to care about this totally strange person. It is learned that he works twenty hours a week; clears $200 per week after taxes; carries his belongings with him; sleeps in a friend's room; and has a criminal record.
In all I counted 27 people who walked out of the theatre. There are sure to be people who may be moved by Levitch's wordy dialogue and repetition of `big' words such as cacophony and malaise, but I cannot recommend it for most people. All in all, I not only feel sorry for the people who buy tickets to this film, but I really sympathize with those tourists who paid to go on sight-seeing tours of NYC with him as their guide.
I have no desire to ever see this movie again. I give it a D-.
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