A pilot, Barry Seal (Tom Cruise – The Mummy, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back), lands work for the CIA and as a drug runner in the south during the 1980’s.
While based on events from the time, and slated as biographical, American Made has a large element of comedy. Both from the characters themselves, and from the shear audacity of Barry’s actions, as he wheels and deals all sides, and in turn being used by all. He encounters people from all quadrants of the shady spectrum, and the line between wrong and right being a mere blur, when seen through the filter of the end justifying the means.
Bringing a mix of action to the film, in the vein of some fancy flying, and a few encounters with some wanted men from the drug cartels, the film has a broad appeal, with its mix of genres.
Tom Cruise isn’t playing his usual self-promoting self, and we are spared having to stare at him performing a long list of oft boring tasks on camera, as part of the movie. Rather, he has actual character to the role. And Barry Seal is one interesting character, and one that audiences can at least get behind to support, while likely debating the morality of his decisions and actions.
A fun film, with broad appeal, American Made opens 1 September 2017 in South African cinemas.
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