Cruise trades his wings for wheels and NASCAR action

Rating: 7/10 (27 August 2018)

This film sees Tom Cruise playing Cole Trickle, a successful Californian race car driver who wishes to switch to stock-cars. He is an instinctive and very fast driver but he has difficulty switching to the very different cars; constantly pushing them beyond their limits; destroying engines and tyres in the process. He quickly develops a rivalry with current champion Rowdy Burns but gradually improves and starts winning races... then he and Rowdy have a terrible collision that puts them both in hospital. While Cole gradually recovers, and develops a relationship with his attractive doctor, another young driver takes over his car. When he finally back to racing he has a new rival and must also deal with his own nerves.
This film is very much 'Top Gun in stock cars' with an almost identical plot... that doesn't matter too much though as it is a successful formula and the impressive editing and camerawork keep the race action exciting. Tom Cruise is solid as the arrogant Trickle and Robert Duvall adds a touch of class as engineer Harry Hogge who optimises his car. Nicole Kidman is likeable as love interest Dr. Claire Lewicki. There are few real surprises but if you want good solid action with no real villains, just rivals, you could do a lot worse. Overall I wouldn't say this is a must see it is an exciting and undemanding way to pass the time.