Tonight on Netflix: Tom Cruise Shines in a True Story Thriller
Forget Ethan Hunt and Maverick! Discover one of Tom Cruise's most delightful performances in a thriller inspired by a true story.
When thinking of Tom Cruise, iconic roles such as Ethan Hunt and Maverick often come to mind. However, Cruise's filmography extends beyond action-packed characters to include more unexpected roles. One such example is the lesser-known thriller Barry Seal: American Traffic, directed by Doug Liman, which is currently available on Netflix. In this film, Cruise delivers a captivating performance filled with charm, humor, and a hint of mischief.
Barry Seal: American Traffic, released in 2017, is inspired by the true story of Adler Berriman Seal. The film follows the journey of Barry Seal, a con artist airline pilot who is recruited by the CIA in the late 1970s to carry out one of the largest covert operations in Central America. As the plot unfolds, Seal finds himself entangled in a web that forces him to work for both the CIA and Colombian drug cartels.
The cast of Barry Seal features notable actors such as Sarah Wright (Super Blonde), Domhnall Gleeson (The Revenant), E. Roger Mitchell (Outer Banks), Jesse Plemons (Fargo), Caleb Landry Jones (Dogman), and Lola Kirke (Sinners).
Barry Seal : American Traffic
In keeping with his meticulous approach to roles like Ethan Hunt and Maverick, Tom Cruise impresses audiences once again. As the director noted during the film's release, "He performed all the flying scenes himself; he even flew one of our planes to Colombia." This return to his roots comes 30 years after Top Gun, reinforcing Cruise's reputation for performing his own stunts, a hallmark of the Mission: Impossible franchise.
While Cruise's role in Barry Seal is indeed perfectionist, it diverges significantly from his typical characters. The director highlighted this during the film's promotion, stating, "We always talk about Tom Cruise's daring side because of his stunts, like climbing skyscrapers or hanging onto an airplane... But his real courage is allowing directors like me to take him to roles that are very different from what he usually does."
Doug Liman's film adopts a light-hearted tone, filled with action and irony. Spectacular aerial scenes are juxtaposed with humorous moments, such as when Seal makes a crash landing in a suburban neighborhood and then departs on a scooter, providing unexpected surprises for viewers.
Barry Seal: American Traffic is now streaming on Netflix!
