The Cruise

PG-13

Released Sep 12, 1998

1h 16m

Documentary

List

86%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

87%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

This black-and-white documentary by director Bennett Miller focuses on Timothy "Speed" Levitch, a highly eccentric New York City tour guide. Employed by the Gray Line bus company, which pays him $200 a week for part-time work, the outgoing Levitch shares historical facts with his captive tourist audience, noting where renowned literal figures lived and frequented. Levitch is also eager to impart odd philosophical bits as he discusses his life and his love/hate relationship with Manhattan.

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 4/5

Mar 10, 2003

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

I get letters from people who would like to make a movie. My advice could be, find a subject like Speed Levitch and follow him around with a video camera. That's what Bennett Miller did -- directing, producing and photographing The Cruise.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Thomas Delapa

Boulder Weekly

Rated: 3/5

Jul 29, 2005

Full Review

Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Rated: B

Apr 9, 2005

Full Review

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Audience Member

A very fascinating documentary on a very interesting figure. Bennett Miller's directorial debut is a match to his great work he has done with his narrative films letting this subject really breath and take control of his story. On the back of the DVD box a critic is quoted comparing the man to Woody Allen in terms of looks and his rich dialogue he spews in a rapid pace. He is just so interesting that you'll want him to personally give you a tour of NYC.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Loads of energy and always captivating in some puzzling way, "The Cruise" shows a pre-"Capote" Bennett Miller exploring a man not made for his time and place, a theme he would go on to explore later in his career with three astonishing dramatic movies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

If you want to see something very different and very, very good, watch this movie. Documents the eccentric personality of a rebellious, free-spirited New York City tour guide, Tim "Speed" Levitch, who hopes to demonstrate to his clients that he is, "thrilled to be alive". A sincere portrait of a young person questioning things and trying to create his own unique identity. And unlike the formulaic movies we are used to, this one just lets you observe a real person and let's you draw your own conclusions.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This goes to show that a really interesting subject can make a documentary all by itself. It almost doesn't matter that there's no real point to the film other than to showcase Speed Levitch's bizarre and delusional view of reality. You are both captivated and repulsed by his rantings, and you find that there's little short of genius in everything he spouts, whether on the Gray Line tour buses or while standing in the shadow of, or on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I could've watched an entire movie on the beautiful Cinematography or Speed giving Bus Tours or even getting to know him. But The Cruise combines all 3 elements to make a stand out documentary. You start off entertained by Speed then by the end i was relating to him and wishing him the best. Bennett Miller needs to make more films cause i'm a fan!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

What a character. Such poetry and Cadiz moments though; I've never seen anything like this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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Bennett Miller

Director

Timothy "Speed" Levitch

Actor

David Cohen

Executive Producer

Michael Levine

Film Editing

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Synopsis

This black-and-white documentary by director Bennett Miller focuses on Timothy "Speed" Levitch, a highly eccentric New York City tour guide. Employed by the Gray Line bus company, which pays him $200 a week for part-time work, the outgoing Levitch shares historical facts with his captive tourist audience, noting where renowned literal figures lived and frequented. Levitch is also eager to impart odd philosophical bits as he discusses his life and his love/hate relationship with Manhattan.

Director: Bennett Miller
Producer: David Cohen
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Artisan Entertainment
Production Co: Columbia, TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA): $220.4K
Runtime: 1h 16m

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