The Cruise (Bennett Miller, 1998) - Some Pre-viewing Prompts

[Steven Brence]

1. What does Timothy ‘Speed’ Levitch mean by “the cruise”? Clearly he is identifying something more general by it than his bus tour (which he refers to as “the tour”), but what?

2. What does Speed mean by “the anti-cruise”? Why does he suggest that wherever there is cruise that there is “an escort of anti-cruise”?

3. What does Speed mean when he refers to himself as a “fugitive”?

4. How does Speed relate to the non-human constituents of New York City (buildings, plants, streets, etc.) and the city itself? Is he simply a bit nutty or does he therein reveal insight into real possibilities for establishing and/or recognizing a more reciprocal relationship with one’s non-human environment?

5. What particularly seems to interest Speed about the history of New York City (as revealed in his bus tours) and why? If this is part of his effort to grab people’s collars and to make them aware, of what does he intend to make them aware, and how does he use history in that effort?

6. What does Speed mean by being made to “pull a schtick” on the tour and what is so terrible about it?