#8
Born on the Fourth of July
Oliver Stone‘s sprawling anti-war epic is an emotional roller-coaster, tracking the true story of Ron Kovic from high school to Vietnam and, eventually, back home. Cruise’s dynamic performance takes Kovic from eager teenager, to bitter paralyzed veteran, to motivated activist.
I know nowadays it’s hard to believe Stone was once considered an important or controversial filmmaker, but his films actually used to stand for something. He didn’t always get it right, but at least you could tell he was trying. And that’s a hell of a lot more than you can say about Savages or Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
CHOICE QUOTE:
“People say that if you don’t love America, then get the hell out. Well, I love America. We love the people of America very much, but when it comes to the government, it stops right there.”
#7
Mission: Impossible III
I’m a big fan of Cruise’s Mission: Impossible franchise, even finding some enjoyment in the often-ridiculed second installment (maybe that’s just the teenage Limp Bizkit fan in me?), but III is easily my favorite. It has a darker edge than the rest of the films, featuring Ethan Hunt at his most desperate and emotionally charged, as well as the series’ best villain by far. To be honest, the other three films have underwhelming or underdeveloped villains, but Philip Seymour Hoffman is downright menacing here. Come to think of it, Mr. Hoffman is in another movie I’m going to discuss later on. That, my friends, is what we call a teaser.
CHOICE QUOTE:
“I’ll die unless you kill me!”
#6
A Few Good Men
Before The Social Network and “The Newsroom,” Aaron Sorkin wrote this little ditty from director Rob Reiner. Cruise stars as a wise-cracking military lawyer assigned to defend a couple of Marines accused of murder. Jack Nicholson‘s “You can’t handle the truth!” line is so famous it could be lumped in with all of those cliches Cruise’s character spitballs back and forth with the gentleman at the newsstand throughout the film. Even those who haven’t seen the movie reference that climactic exchange, but the two-hour buildup is just as biting and gets you there in what feels like no time at all.
CHOICE QUOTE:
“The only thing I have to eat is Yoohoo and Cocoa Puffs, so if you want anything else bring it with you. Okay?”
#5
Eyes Wide Shut
Stanley Kubrick‘s final film is an exploration into the mind of the sexually repressed male as Cruise’s curiosities lead him into a dangerous underworld of kinky sex parties. It’s definitely Cruise’s most adventurous role and proof that, despite his reputation as a Hollywood action star, his biggest concern is with telling a compelling story. It’s also the one film on this list I had trouble finding an appropriate clip for so take note if you decide to hit play below as it’s certainly not safe for work.
CHOICE QUOTE:
“And no dream is ever just a dream.”
