American Made

A modern Scorsese who is as easy to look at as an overstuffed wallet, but at the same time embodies the fact that nobody can tell a story as coherently as the legendary Marty. Barry Seal wants to deliver a very complex and balanced story, but ends up offering terribly little room for the supporting characters and brings nothing new to the game apart from some flashy work with self-aware editing and music. I enjoyed Cruise, the pace and the positive feeling, even if it didn't always quite fit with the events described, but after a while what has stuck in my mind are hilarious bits, not a hilarious film. A respectable 70%, if only for Sarah Wright's undeniable potential for the less accessible roles whose ideas she cheekily encourages. (04/12/2017)

It's a pity that Cruise's best role in recent years doesn't come in a slightly better (understand: better written, built and with a dramatic point) film. American Made flies too smoothly. Especially in the first half, one almost prays for artificial turbulence. But Spinelli's screenplay is a flat track composed of repetitive episodes carried by Tom's charisma and a ready-to-use 80s vibe. Although Liman tries to decently direct the film, he doesn't pull out any extra drive with his 80s magical processes. Fortunately, Cruise enjoys his everyday crook, who generally doesn't ask too many questions, so that the viewer can enjoy him as well. American Made is a solid, but too long episode of Narcos. The film owes almost everything to the Netflix series, but unfortunately also can't cover its limits when it is compared to it. A serious historical topic is thus dismissed by a few shortcuts and jokes, which we know almost literally from Narcos. But the series managed to unexpectedly make a mark. Barry tries to do it in the end, but rather harmlessly. Why ****? Because Tom. So the 4th piece from pure fandom. (25/08/2017)

After The Mummy, Tom Cruise apparently relaxed and enjoyed this 1980s summer romp perhaps even more than many viewers. It’s hard to deny that the premise is uninteresting, but the execution and especially the pacing are a challenge. It's a movie about a huckster pilot that basically flies on autopilot the whole time and everything is clearly lined up (and repetitive). There is no moment of surprise, no vivacity and no drive, you can anticipate the screenwriter's intentions three moves ahead. You still may get a taste of this summer ride, but it's not the experience of the year. The attempt to align itself with Scorsese's legends with its razor-sharp jokes and sarcastic undertones is there, but unfortunately often off-target. (01/09/2017)

Barry Seal is Tom Cruise's one man show. Totally. Actually, there's nothing here but Tom Cruise in a role that was tailor-made for him. As a likeable bastard who can work for three deadly organizations at the same time and still make a damn good living at it, he's downright brilliant. His Barry is an amoral bastard, but with such enormous charm that you'll be rooting for him even as he muddies the waters with Colombian cartel bosses, delivers weapons to Central American paramilitary organizations, and buries his money in suitcases in the backyard. Barry has style, and thanks to Doug Liman and his brisk direction, his adventures are quite watchable. And it's only at the end that you realise that it's actually playing it too safe, that Barry's sort of getting away with everything, lacking a significant antagonist, conflict or even problem, and that it's not actually very interesting. Cruise fans will probably enjoy it to the max, others will be treated to a stylish, broadly entertaining but more or less pointless film. (27/07/2018)

Doug Liman is awesome and Tom Cruise rocks again. nice Barry Seal is a very story that is interesting and engaging enough to draw you in from the very beginning. The film benefits greatly from an interesting filter and at times I felt I was watching an episode of Narcos, which may well have been Doug Liman's inspiration. Working for the CIA and the narcos at the same time may be attractive, but it's a hard job that you can't escape or you'll die. The sex scene on the plane was awesome. A very entertaining film 80% (25/10/2017)