Peter Bart: Will Audiences Embrace Tom Cruise as a Billionaire Hero in Today’s World?
Tom Cruise is set to star in a new comedy that examines a powerful figure who chooses to become humanity’s savior. As the film approaches its release, questions arise about how it will be received by a cinematic audience potentially weary of unconventional narratives, particularly those influenced by a political landscape that has polarized many viewers.
Cruise, known for his diverse and sometimes surprising choices—such as his performances in Magnolia and Valkyrie—is venturing into unexplored territory. Considering the current U.S. economic situation, characterized by a widening gap between the affluent and the impoverished, there’s speculation that audiences may gravitate more towards a classic underdog story than the comedic premise of his latest project.
The impact of societal mood on cinematic trends was a focal point at last week’s CinemaCon, where Cruise elaborated on his new film, Digger, to a captivated audience. “The growing gulf between rich and poor is stirring anger, and movies don’t reflect it,” noted a veteran distributor, reflecting on Hollywood’s historical ability to mirror societal sentiments.
The landscape of film has long catered to varying public desires. In the 1960s, moviegoers were drawn to both violent revenge plots, such as Bonnie and Clyde, and lighter fare like Mary Poppins. Similarly, during the Great Depression, gangster films like Public Enemy, Little Caesar, and Scarface resonated with audiences disenchanted with societal norms.
These older films not only dominated box office sales but also shaped Academy Awards discussions. As the nation’s economic landscape evolved, so too did the subject matter filmmakers pursued, moving from “problem films” like The Grapes of Wrath to glitzier musicals that thrived alongside cinematic dramas.
By the early 1960s, Hollywood recognized a decline in traditional narratives as television began to take hold of public attention. Notably, the 1966 Oscar for Best Picture went to the somewhat conventional Sound of Music, overshadowing more ambitious works like Dr. Zhivago and Ship of Fools. This era forced icons like Elvis Presley to adapt, gravitating towards lighter genres to maintain their relevance.
Tom Cruise has navigated the complexities of Hollywood with a versatile portfolio, fluctuating between successes and failures across genres. His heroic performances in the Mission: Impossible franchise have largely overshadowed less favorable roles in films like Cocktail and Collateral.
Having earned three Oscar nominations, Cruise has expressed pride in his performances in Born on the Fourth of July and Lions for Lambs, yet it was Top Gun that catapulted his career to iconic status.
With Digger branded as “a comedy of catastrophic proportions,” its edge appears promising, given director Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s reputation for iconoclastically challenging conventional narratives, as seen in Birdman and The Revenant.
As Digger prepares for its release, the question remains: will this film resonate within the current socio-economic climate, and how will its protagonist fare amid the ongoing themes of wealth disparity?
