Emotional

Rating: 8/10 (4 July 2005)

Dakota Fanning is the star of this movie. She is on-screen almost every moment, and never a false touch. Tom Cruise's role could have been played by anyone, but she is in a class by herself.
The family dynamics were realistic and added to my interest. The evolution of the angry son's relationship with his absent dad seemed believable. And the Mom's snarkiness towards her ex also rang true. I liked the realistic New Jersey backdrop. It may have been unrealistic, but I felt that as long as Tom Cruise and Dakota were together, he would keep her safe.
The political overtones also rang true for me. One character says, It's an occupation, and occupations always fail. Hmmm.
Plot holes big enough to drive a jet plane through, but emotionally, this is a winner.