Strange but brilliant film

Rating: 9/10 (28 March 2012)

This is one of the greatest movies of all time. But what do you expect when you team up the greatest actor (Tom Cruise) of his generation with one of the greatest storyteller of the last 10 years (Cameron Crowe)? Furthermore, every actor in this film brings their A-game. Aside from the top shelf story, it's the actors that enable this film to stand apart from the rest of 2001-2. Cameron Diaz practically re-invents the desperate woman persona and Penelope Cruz shines as love at its most innocent. Kurt Russell once again gives such a splendid performance that you forget "Tango and Cash," "Soldier," and "Overboard." He is sensitive yet demanding all at once. And towards the end of the film, he nails what should have been an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (or at least a Golden Globe) when he switches roles with Cruise. Once confident in himself, his life, and his profession, he becomes vulnerable, scared, and angry at what his life might actually be. Jason Lee stars in perhaps the weakest of roles, however, he gives it his all. Given some of the movie's cornier lines, he delivers them as if it's Shakespeare In the Park. He is truly an actor's actor. And Cruise? He's brilliant as usual.******* POSSIBLE SPOILER********** His performance reminds me of something Roger Ebert said about the film "Birdy," starring Matthew Modine and Nicholas Cage. He admired the skill of both actors because they had to give up what were then their most important assets as actors: Modine his personality and Cage his... I can't tell you the latter or I'd give away the movie. However, if you are familiar with Roger Ebert or "Birdy" you may have guessed it. But the point is, Cruise must give up both of the assets to express the confusion and anger of David Aames. This film is a treat, and anyone who watches it will surely want to see it 20 more times.