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I watched one of those Actors Studio interviews by James Lipton with Tom Cruise.
After watching the interview it's easy to see why Tom Cruise is known as 'the hardest working actor in Hollywood.' Of course it's impossible to know if that designation is accurate, but the man is certainly incredibly focused. He has a mind-boggling wok ethic. He's taken the combination of acting, production and marketing to a whole new level. He surrounds himself with a highly trusted team that includes at least one sister.
Maybe his focus stems from having to support his family at an early age? Maybe it also stems from Scientology, which has an active agenda to spread its word via mass media.
In the interview he came across as very personable and likable, with a great sense of humor.
Tom Cruise is an easy target and it's easy to diss him because of all the attention he gets and because he represents the big-budget Hollywood movie.
I fess us. Over the years - especially many years ago - I enjoyed lots of his performances and the movies he was in, e.g.
(I saw most of these in the movie theater when they first came out, and haven't seen most of them since)
Taps
All the Right Moves
Risky Business
Top Gun
Rain Man
Born on the Fourth of July
A Few Good Men
Magnolia
Jerry Maguire
Collateral
Minority Report
Tropic Thunder
The movie with Tom Cruise I like the most and which I've watched a few times is Eyes Wide Shut.
I guess a big reason I wouldn't classify Tom Cruise as a great actor is the same reason I wouldn't classify Arnold Schwarzenegger as a great actor. In many films, Tom Cruise seems to 'cruise' by simply by being Tom Cruise. He knows his audience wants to see Tom Cruise on the screen and that's what he delivers - the same hairstyle, the same voice, the same mannerisms. Of course there are exceptions, but it seems to be more the rule.
Contrast this with Meryl Streep. She is one of the most famous actresses on the planet, but I never find her the same. I always seem to forget I'm watching Meryl Streep. She becomes the character. The character doesn't become her.
Last edited by CelluloidChild; 04-11-13 at 04:28 PM.