American Made features entertaining Tom Cruise control

Movie Title: American Made

Grade:  B+

Rating: R, 115 minutes

In a Nutshell: 
Based on a true story, this entertaining ride features Tom Cruise as a wide-eyed pawn in illegal activities led by the American government in the 1980’s.  

It’s amazing and alarming that this really happened.  The documentary-style of film making works perfectly for this story. 

 

Uplifting theme: 

• There are always consequences.
• Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's right. 
• When it comes to drugs, just say no!

Things I liked:

• Tom Cruise always does a great job playing flawed characters with charisma and he always give it 100%.
• There is a lot of humor. 

Things I didn’t like:

• A lot happens in a very short amount of movie time, so you often don’t realize years have passed by in the story. 

Interesting lines:

• “All this is legal?” – Barry Seal (Tom Cruise)

“If you’re doing it for the good guys.” – Monty Schafer (Domhnall Gleeson)

Tips for parents: 

• F-bombs and other profanity.
• Some Spanish without subtitles.
• There’s a short clip of “Bedtime with Bonzo” movie, starring President Ronald Reagan, who was a movie star before he went into government.  Your kids may not even know that!
• Because this is based on a true story, your kids may not know who the Sandinistas and Contras were and what happened in Central America in the 1980’s.  You may want to give them a briefing on Pablo Escobar while you’re at it.
• The movie features drug dealers and arms dealers, as well as other illegal activities that appear glamorous on screen.

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice