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CRUISING ALONG
Tom Cruise’s the film icon will never ever age
Violet Wilder listens to the actor’s perspectives
– Compiled by hub.branded
In this modern era of cinema, only a few have risen to the top with more drive, dynamism and desire than Tom Cruise. In his early days on the big screen at the beginning of the 1980s, it was clear that the New York born actor’s appearance, persona and unparalleled talent matched perfectly, with a culture that wanted everything to be bigger, better and brighter.
But those days are gone, thanks to COVID-19, Netflix and the global downturn. What’s bewildering however, is the number of actors who are still vying with Cruise for film scripts. It’s a world away from his early days in the game.
“We’re definitely living in a different mode of cinema because the variety of content and platforms we have are mind-blowing"
Tom observes: “We’re definitely living in a different mode of cinema because the variety of content and platforms we have are mind-blowing. In some ways, it means making that big blockbuster is so much more difficult.”
He explains: “That’s why we see so many series, sequels and prequels; and it’s also why studios and comic books dominate what’s out there – because they’re all drinking from the same well.”
“However, on the other side of this, making movies is much easier than it was in the past. The technology sets up independent filmmakers with an idea and for the most part, they can run with that. If the idea is good enough and they’re good enough, they have a chance of being noticed,” Cruise adds.
A reluctance these days to stick his head too far above the parapet is to prevent being noticed. Married to Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes successively, and with many high profile relationships in-between, the 58-year-old is currently single and free… and apparently quite happy to stay that way.
He has chosen to downplay his personal life for a while to the point of ending interviews that stray too far off course. However, Tom has found to his cost that staying away from the public encourages the media to seize on titbits and spread speculation – and even print untruths on occasion.
Cruise hopes that things will improve in the near future – not least because of his long sought after reprise of Maverick in the reboot of Top Gun. This sees the actor come full circle on a project that bookends 35 years of almost constant success.
From ‘Rain Man’ to ‘Born on the Fourth of July,’ across ‘Days of Thunder’ and ‘A Few Good Men,’ onto ‘Mission: Impossible,’ ‘War of the Worlds,’ ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ and ‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,’ he is a man who rarely picks a bad project. Or rather, is it that any project with Tom Cruise in it is destined for success?
He explains: “I know I can get movies made – there are things that I can do. I don’t mean that in an arrogant way but this is an industry that’s always willing to give someone a second, third and fourth shot, and I keep getting them.”
Perhaps it’s the variety that keeps Cruise relevant: he can switch from political tome to romantic swoon and action hero at the drop of a hat. Tom accepts that his versatility remains a draw even in these middle years.
The actor elaborates: “I make all kinds of movies. You have to understand all the things that have happened, have happened. I really love movies and telling a story – but that’s not to say that the Academy Awards aren’t terrific and fun. Yet, winning them has never been an objective of mine.”
“I didn’t grow up watching the Academy Awards even though I love movies. The reality is that I make all kinds of movies because I’ve always wanted to do so,” declares Cruise.
Tom is a father of three – Suri from his marriage to Holmes, and Connor and Isabella who were adopted while he was with Kidman.
The relationship he has with his kids isn’t perfect, leaving some to point to his own difficult childhood. The struggles that followed when his parents split are in direct contrast to the estimated US$ 570 million that the actor is worth today.
Cruise reveals: “I haven’t forgotten my childhood – oddly enough, in spite of all the challenges I faced, it was quite adventurous. There are people who have it a lot worse than I did. I worked, I learned how to work. We had to. I look back on it now and realise how privileged I was to be able to contribute to my family.”
“When you look at society today, very often children are not allowed to contribute. They are not allowed to work. I used to wonder even when I was young how this happens and why people are this way. I was always looking for answers,” he recalls.
It’s fair to say that Tom Cruise has found his answers, and we are all a little more informed and entertained as a result.
“I really love movies and telling a story – but that’s not to say that the Academy Awards aren’t terrific and fun"
