Tom Cruise redeemed

Rating: 9/10 (1 October 2017)

Between the time of Jerry McGuire & now, the only two Tom Cruise movies I've watched was War of the Worlds & Valkyrie, both of which I liked. But I am not a fan and avoid his movies. We went to see American Made because lately we're all swept up into NARCOS and the like. The subject matter interested us so we went. It was very good, better than expected. Tom Cruise in his best role AND his best acting. Maybe because he's older and wiser now, same age as me. Maybe he's had a good acting coach as of late. He's had much work done to his appearance, maybe this also lends to his "rebirth". He doesn't look like you remember him, this is a good thing. The film moved at a good pace, I was kept interested and involved throughout. I thought the relationship between Barry Seal and his wife Lucy was never fully developed. She's was just kind of there, keeping quiet & dragged through, never seen asking many questions but was seen dripping in jewelry and furs which we never saw being purchased or given to her. Just a disconnect in that relationship, probably because of time constraints. I think Caleb Landry Jones as JB, Lucy's broken brother, did a FABULOUS job. Wow, good acting there. We've watched much about the 1970's & 80's drug trade and the cartels, movies and documentaries. This was a different story I hadn't heard. I didn't know they dropped drugs into the swamp bayou in Louisiana! And much like Walter White & Pablo Escobar, one wonders how much is enough money before you can just stop- Just Say NO- and enjoy life. There is never enough . Give this one a chance.