Days of Thunder

Rating: 5/10 (19 November 2008)

If your a fan of Formula One, or you have a thing for Tom Cruise, then you might like this not too bad sports drama, from Sir Ridley's brother director Tony Scott, (Top Gun, True Romance, Enemy of the State). Basically Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall) knows everything about high speed auto car racing on the NASCAR circuit, and along comes hotshot rookie racer Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) to be mentored by him. His talent for racing is eventually found, and even after an accident with nemesis racer Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker), he is determined to get back behind the wheel, and also, he finds a relationship with his doctor, Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman), oh, Cruise and Kidman married four months later. Oh, and Cole had a replacement with Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes), but when Rowdy is unable to drive, he gives him his car, and Cole is Russ's nemesis in the big race. Also starring Randy Quaid as Tim Daland, Fred Dalton Thompson as Big John, Chicago's John C. Reilly as Buck Bretherton, J.C. Quinn as Waddell, Don Simpson as Aldo Bennedetti, Caroline Williams as Jennie Burns, Donna Wilson as Darlene and Chris Ellis as Harlan Hoogerhyde. I think the best reason to see this is for the racing, some of the acting, from Cruise, Duvall and Kidman (putting on her natural Australian accent), I'm not all surprised it was a box office flop, but don't let that fact spoil you trying it. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Sound. Tom Cruise was number 32, and Kidman number 21 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, Cruise was number 25 on The 100 Greatest Sex Symbols, and he was number 81 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. Worth watching!