In Defense of Tom Cruise

Okay, no, I'm not going soft on $cientology, but I just re-watched Oliver Stone's Born on the Fourth of July, and I must say it's hard to imagine anyone else evoking the transformation from True Believer jingoist kill-em-up-some-comm'nists to wounded, eyes-open patriot. He truly was superb, and manages what too few actors in his star-range ever do: he demonstrated skin-crawling depths of vulnerability.

Tom Cruise should forget about the empty Mission: Impossible stuff and reinvest himself as an actor. Since he's the subject of so much vilification these days and needs to regain credibility, he might try returning to actual acting. But I doubt Hollywood logic will allow for that. Of course, what I'd love to see him do is a tell-all on $cientology, but that aint about to happen. If you're interested in that, try Operation Clambake or read L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman? online or buy the book.

Anyway, see BOTFOJ. It's freaking great, with a beautiful score and typically (for Stone) superb cinematography and editing.