Director: Doug Liman
Starring: Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson and Jesse Plemons
American Made
Not many actors have made films making headlines news like Tom Cruise. Since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Cruuse has been a beloved icon. Whether it’s spies enduring dangers, lawyers or soaring aviators, Cruise has portrayed many compelling characters. Arguably, Cruise’s best strength as an actor is his powerful commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always put his life on the line by performing his own stunts. Even when he has suffered injuries, Cruise has never lost his passion for making memorable movies. An actor with a strong commitment toward his craft, Cruise has become an icon in entertainment. Although he’s best known for his role in the Mission Impossible series, Cruise has proven he can make engaging films in every single genre. Throughout his powerful career, Cruise has made several unforgettable movies that are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Cruise and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “American Made” definitely stands out as his most underrated work. Released in 2017, Doug Liman’s film offered a strong portrait of drug smuggling. Packed with captivating production design, intense storytelling and engaging acting, it’s one of the best crime films ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Tom Cruise, who portrays a drug smuggler that faces issues. Ultimately, what makes “American Made” a crime classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about drug smuggling, the film tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about drug smuggling, there are many strong reasons why “American Made” is a crime film which is worth watching.
Based upon true events, “American Made” tells the story of a drug smuggler whose dreams fade. Tom Cruise portrays Barry Seal, an American pilot with a desire to engage in drug trafficking about which he has come to strongly feel. Seal has often gotten away with smuggling drugs across borders without facing any price to pay. However, Seal’s life drastically changes when becomes involved in a drug scandal causing disaster. As he is hunted down by an FBI officer (Domhnall Gleeson), Seal is forced to wonder whether he can pull of a drug mission. Faced with a dilemma, Seal questions whether it’s possible for him to become a pilot in America.
Doug Liman has always been fascinated with the lives of spies facing tension. An extraordinary director, Liman has always made engaging movies about spies facing danger. His iconic film “The Bourne Identity” offered a powerful portrait of spies seeking to discover their identity. With “American Made”, however, Liman made his first ever real-life crime drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the exploits of a real drug smuggler in American history but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Liman captured a drugs smuggler on a journey to find his identity. Evoking Steven Soderbergh’s “Traffic”, the filmmaker successfully uses point of view shots to capture smugglers with drugs to traffic. For instance, POV shots enhance the drug smuggling scene. During this engaging scene, Seal pulls off a drug smuggling act without being caught by the police. Using POV shots, Liman creates a portrait of drug smuggling that’s compelling. POV shots are complex techniques. As Tony Scott’s “Top Gun” suggested, POV shots enhance iconic films about aviation. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using captivating visuals, Liman captures hardships drug smugglers are facing.
Another strong aspect of “American Made” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best films ever made about drug smuggling. Evoking Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction”, Liman effectively uses costumes to capture tensions faced by individuals engaging in a life of drug distribution. Throughout the film, Barry’s costumes showcase his personality as a drug smuggler. For instance, costumes elevate the airplane mission scene. During his unforgettable scene, Barry embarks on an airplane mission to transport drugs that cause tension. Using compelling costumes, Liman creates a portrait of drug smuggling that’s engaging. Moreover, the music score is magnificent. Christophe Beck’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing burden that drug smugglers bear. Using captivating production, Liman captures drug smugglers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “American Made” is a crime movie that’s engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture lives of pilots which are skilled in drug smuggling. For instance, monologues elevate the FBI scene. During this engaging scene, Barry delivers a speech explaining his drug smuggling to members of the FBI. Through strong monologues, Liman creates a portrait of drug smuggling that audiences can relate to. Dramatic monologues are not easy techniques to employ in films. As Rob Reiner’s “A Few Good Men” claimed clearly, monologues enhance courtroom dramas. Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man” proved that monologues enhance films about Autism. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Liman captures the lives of drug smugglers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Cruise delivers one of his best career performances as Barry Seal. Cruise earned appreciation for playing soaring aviators in classic action films. With “American Made”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a real-life smuggler in American history but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past: intense, charismatic and funny in his most overlooked role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and courage of an American pilot engaging in drug trafficking. It’s a strong performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Cruise, the supporting cast is also brilliant and deserving of appreciation. Domnhall Gleeson is dazzling, capturing dedication of an FBI agent seeking to resolve drugs that are involved in profession. Jesse Plemons is phenomenal, captions the bravery of a bold FBI officer seeking to resolve a sad tragedy. Lastly, Sarah Wright deserves appreciation. As Seal’s wife, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “American Made” would achieve the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of drug smugglers that fade. Unlike most movies about drug trafficking, the film tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses bold themes such as angst, mental health and drug smuggling that will definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “American Made” is one of those rare crime films everyone will adore.
Fans of Tom Cruise will absolutely enjoy “American Made” and so would movie-goers seeking enjoyable entertainment. A riveting crime thriller, it honours an actor with a charismatic nature.
Nearly a decade following the release of an iconic film about American drug smugglers that face tension, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actor with strong dedication towards his craft that has made unforgettable films that are absolutely without a doubt deserving of appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 