On the previous evening a strange and foreboding event occurred. A great gale descended upon my home and brought with it the anger and fury of God himself. My dreams that night were filled with strange terrors. Nightmares that haunted me and threatened to tear all sense of identity and soul from my being. But suddenly, there was bright light in the darkness, a silver and white figure that radiated hope and clarity. I awoke from this dream and knew instantly who the savior in my dream was, and why he had chosen this moment to appear in my unconscious. He is perhaps the greatest entertainer, nay human being of our times, and this was to be the day of his new film’s release to the world. His name is Tom Cruise.
Who is this first rate, first take actor? This painter who lives in the desert? This dreamer who makes other men poets? I have followed his career with a holy dedication ever since I was first reduced to tears by his performance in Legend. His golden armor shone into the blackest parts of my soul and filled me with light. It was not Tim Curry’s “Darkness” that brought evil to the film but my own presence in the theatre, the blackness of my own soul, and it was Tom Cruise who brought me out of that darkness and has inspired my work ever since.
Knight and Day puts us into immediate proximity with our hero, as it should be. Tom’s feathered locks step into the frame and we are immediately at home. His presence is perfection, a walk, a manner without flaws. The tragedy of the film is that the other elements are far too weak for a hero like Mr. Cruise to deserve. My heart wept at the realization that even a radiant star such as Mr. Cruise would be forced to carry such lack of heart around him. It is unfortunate that so many elements, which could have polished the Cruise family crest to a brilliant lustre, threatened only to tarnish glinted silver. What misfortune that such a rare individual should be made to perform in a dog and pony show such as this. But nonetheless, Tom is a magician. A skilled craftsman who, with the arms of Atlas, lifts those around him to divine heights. The performance of a limp Soba noodle would seem riveting when opposite such a generous talent as that of Mr. Cruise. In this film, I was particularly glad to see the director respect the power of his star’s eyes, as they penetrate deep within our emotions. He looks into the camera at sunset and I find myself again in tears at the beauty of his honest face. Watching this film, as with so much of Tom’s work, I have learned a vital lesson about who I am and what my place on this Earth must be. All hail Tom Cruise. I do not wish to imagine, much less live in a world without him in it, so let us be thankful that for the present, he has once again shown us the way.
