It's fascinating to watch Al Pacino in Cruising, especially seeing him take chances early in his career, and that’s a big reason why he’s regarded as one of the greats. Back then, in 1980, he was prepared to venture into areas most performers wouldn’t consider, tackling themes that were relatively new to film. Even when certain aspects don't quite succeed, you have to appreciate his dedication. The movie had a well-known history of production delays due to demonstrations, but it still made its debut on February 8, 1980, and then was released in cinemas across the country on February 15. The negative reaction didn’t end with that initial release; there were continued protests and immediate condemnation. Despite all this, Cruising managed to rank as the 36th highest-grossing film of the year, earning $19.8 million at the box office. It's not hard to understand why people went to see it given the actors involved.

Source on TMDB