The Great German vs American Accent Swindle

Rating: 2/10 (21 June 2009)

This could have been epic. We know the story. We know the outcome. We know the directors pedigree (Singer - Usual Suspects, X-Men fame).
Great character actors with Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Kenneth Branagh and even Eddie Izzard. Stylish direction guaranteed. And I even like the title. So what's not to like.
Two words - TOM CRUISE.
What were they thinking? Yes Tom Cruise has major box office pulling power but he's not exactly RADA is he? Do you think if Gary Oldman had been given the part he would have played Stauffenberg in a British accent? In reality, Tom Cruise did not play this in a German accent because quite frankly, he couldn't. Does it matter? Yep it certainly does because credibility is lost as soon as he opens his mouth. And its such a monumental shame. Remember Ralph Fiennes in Schindlers List? Surely you can see the point? No matter how well Tom acts you always feel as if you've been left a bit short.
There are so many actors out there that could have offered so much more to the part. Putting on an eye patch and delivering lines in ones own Syracuse accent is hardly an acting masterclass is it? Sorry Tom - you've made some decent flics but you should have given this one a miss.