Cruise, The MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +1 Content: -1

No, no, no, this black and white documentary has nothing to do with Tom Cruise. Neither is it about a Caribbean cruise. Instead, this documentary follows an eccentric 28-year-old native New Yorker who conducts city tours for Gray Line Tours in the Big Apple. Timothy Levitch philosophizes about life and his need to validate his life as the double decker bus cruises, lurches and groans through the streets of the tiny island of Manhattan inhabited by over two million people. He also explains some of the skyscrapers with interesting comments about the city's history and quotes such literary giants as H. G. Wells, who said, "The history of New York is the history of the world." His obsession with sharing his passion for his hometown with strangers seems to have replaced his need for family or friends. The camera follows him to his tiny apartment where he expresses his thoughts on a computer, then follows him down dark, narrow streets in the wee hours of the morning. THE CRUISE seems to be a therapeutic exercise for Timothy Levitch, but will most likely bore all but some psychology students and armchair travelers.

This quirky tour guide pours out his feelings about New York in sometimes colorful words with sexual connotations. Skyscrapers are sometimes phallic symbols and his favorite sights arouse him sexually. He also sees eroticism in leaves of plants. Along with these remarks are included a few profanities and one obscenity. Timothy confesses he wants to earn the respect of his grandparents, who feel their grandson is wasting his life. But more than that he wants to be recognized for his unique individuality. This self-absorbed young man's struggle to find meaning to life is depressing because he has no clue that God - not a city, a building or some abstract philosophy - is the source of all love and meaningful existence. His brief connections with tourists are poor substitutes for friends and family. THE CRUISE has no violence, nudity or sex, but its depressing theme and a few foul words prevent our recommendation.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Artisan Entertainment, 2700 Colorado Ave., 2nd flr., Santa Monica, CA 90404