So, here we go, Doug Liman's new film, American Made which we are told is based on a true life. Barry Seal (Tom Cruise) is a pilot working for TWA before he was recruited by a CIA agent played by Domhnall Gleeson, in 1978. His work in South America eventually catches the eye of the Medellín Cartel, associated with Pablo Escobar, who need a man with his particular set of skills (sorry!). Barry becomes a drug trafficker, gun smuggler and money launderer. He becomes know as, 'The gringo that always delivers'.
The problem with this film is that we know the story already. If you have ever watched Season 1 and 2 of Narcos, we are already aware of the twists and turns and absurdities of this story. This is not Narcos. This film is frothy and light with no real menace present. A quick internet search will tell you the whole story of Barry Seal, if you are not aware of it already.
The highlight of this film is Cruise himself. It's great to see him play a charismatic character who relies on his charm and winning-smile to get him where he needs to go. The last time he did this was in 1996's Jerry Maguire. It's nice to see this side of Tom's abilities again. It is a far cry from the almost blank-faced action characters he has been playing for the last twenty years.
A pleasant trip to the cinema.